ANKARA (Portal) – Turkey on Saturday warned its citizens of “possible Islamophobic, xenophobic and racist attacks” in the United States and Europe after its Western allies warned its citizens in Turkey of possible terrorist attacks.
In two separate travel advisories, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry recommended its citizens in the United States and European countries to “act calmly in the face of possible xenophobic and racist harassment and attacks” and “stay away from areas where demonstrations could intensify.”
The recent increase in “anti-Islamic and racist acts” reflects the dangerous dimensions of religious intolerance and hatred in Europe, the ministry said.
Several embassies in Ankara, including those of the United States, Germany, France and Italy, issued security alerts to their citizens in Turkey on Friday, warning of “possible retaliatory attacks by terrorists against places of worship.”
This followed the recent Koran burning incidents in Europe. The Swedish Foreign Ministry also advised its citizens in Turkey on Saturday to avoid crowds and demonstrations.
A far-right, anti-immigrant politician burned a Koran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm during a protest last week, escalating tensions between Turkey and Sweden. Similar Koran burnings in the Netherlands and Denmark were also strongly condemned by Ankara.
(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)