Without respecting Islam, quashing terror groups, Sweden should keep NATO hopes low: Turkish President

Anakara, The Gulf Observer: Without changing course on showing respect for Islam and cracking down on terror groups, Sweden should not expect any good news from Türkiye on its NATO bid, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

If you do not show respect to religious beliefs of Türkiye or Muslims, you will not get any support for NATO from Türkiye, warns Recep Tayyip Erdogan

“Those who caused such a disgrace in front of our embassy should not expect any benevolence from us on their NATO membership applications,” Erdogan said after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara.

Erdogan’s pointed remarks came after Rasmus Paludan, an extreme-right Danish politician, on Saturday burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, under police protection and with permission from the Swedish government.

“If you do not show respect to the religious beliefs of the Republic of Türkiye or Muslims, you will not receive any support for NATO (membership) from us,” he added.

Erdogan stressed that no individual has the freedom to insult the faith of Muslims or other religions and beliefs.

“The heinous action in Sweden is an insult to everyone who respects the fundamental rights and freedoms of people, especially Muslims,” he added.