VIDEO: Insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is violation of freedom of religion and sacred feelings, says Putin
Vladimir Putin addresses the media.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed, during an annual address to a number of journalists on Thursday that transgressing the religious beliefs of others is not considered freedom of expression, pointing out that "insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a violation of the freedom of religion and a violation of the sacred feelings of people who embrace Islam."
"Of course, we must guarantee freedom of expression, and freedom in general, because without freedom, without a doubt, there is no progress, only a sad future awaits us, a very bleak and hopeless future," Putin said.
He added, "One has to understand that this freedom here is in contradiction with the very goals we are working for when it contradicts the freedom of another individual."
He continued: “An example of this is the insult to the Prophet Muhammad. Is this freedom of expression? I do not think so. It is a violation of freedom of religion and a violation of the sacred feelings of people who convert to Islam.
This brings life back to other, more severe and extreme manifestations.”
On the other hand, Putin thanked "Ded Moroz" or "Grandfather Frost", meaning the Russian "Santa Claus", for helping him to assume the presidency for 22 years, almost completely, specifically on December 31, 1999. Putin said during Conference in response to a question: “My relationship with Ded Moroz has always been good, and I am grateful to him for addressing you as President, but I am even more grateful to the Russian people who have given me their confidence to assume this position.”
“I hope he will not just give us gifts,” Putin added. Rather, it achieves the projects of the country and every citizen.”
Putin became the interim president of Russia after the resignation of Boris Yeltsin in 1999, and he has ruled it since that date, which falls on New Year's Eve, when "Ded Moroz" distributed his gifts.
