The Islamic Religious Community (IRC) appealed to Muslims in Macedonia not to fall for the influence of provocateurs who wish to harm Islam, peace and Macedonia’s European future.
The IRC insists that charges be pressed against all those who hurt the sentiments of the Muslims at the Vevcani carnival, at which, they say, the holy book of Quran was ridiculed.
“We are concerned that in recent days in Macedonia, the Islamophobia is frequently combined with government propaganda. Such is the case of this carnival to which the Government allocates 50,000 euros every year from the money of all people including Muslims,” the IRC stresses and reminds that the state leadership turned a deaf ear to the humiliation of Albanians and Turks by the handball fans and national team members.
In the village of Oktisi last night, little after 8 pm, the Church of St Nikola was desecrated. Graffiti with death threats against Orthodox believers were sprayed on the walls of the shrine. Police made an investigation on the spot and is working to clearing up a number of incidents that have been shaking Struga the past few days, following the protest of the Islamic Religious Community against the “insulting masks” of the Vevcani carnival. Heavier police presence can also be spotted in the city.