President: France attacks demonstrate profound need to promote tolerance and moderation

President Abdulla Yameen has said that the recent attacks in Paris, France, demonstrate the profound need to counter radicalism, and to promote tolerance and moderation.

President Yameen made this remark in a message of sympathy to French President François Hollande following the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris, and the subsequent acts of terrorism in France over the past few days.

According to the President’s Office, the President said in his message, “The people of the Maldives join me in condemning the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris, and other barbaric acts of terrorism unleashed on France in the last few days by a radical group of terrorists. Terrorism has no place in Islam, and Maldivians reject terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

“The attacks on France yet again demonstrate the profound need to counter radicalism, and to promote tolerance and moderation, which are the true values of Islam.

“The Maldives stands with the Government and the people of France as they start the Freedom March today. At this time of national grief, I would like to extend our condolences to the members of the bereaved families.”

Seventeen people have died in France in terrorist attacks since Wednesday, including twelve people who died in an attack on the office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday.