Ahlulbayt News Agency: A group of individuals attacked and vandalized the center, thinking it belongs to Syrian refugees, Ray al-Yawm website reported.
In order to discourage the attackers, the center’s manager raised a banner which said the center belongs to Turks.
However, they had already inflicted damages on the Quranic center.
A number of cities across Turkey have been scene of violent protests against Syrian refugees.
Tens of shops, houses and businesses belonging to Syrian refugees have been set on fire and radical nationalists are calling on Turks to intensify attacks on Syrians.
According to Turkey’s Interior Minster Ali Yerlikaya, 474 people have so far been arrested and tens of others are being sought for their involvement in the violence.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the violence, which he blamed opposition parties for stoking.
“It is unacceptable to burn houses, vandalize and set streets on fire,” he said. “Nothing can be achieved by fuelling xenophobia and hatred of refugees in society.”
More than 3.5 million Syrians live in Turkey, the highest number in the region, who were initially welcomed as refugees when the civil war erupted in Syria in 2011.
Most Syrians live under “temporary protection” status and many subsequently became Turkish citizens. But anti-refugee sentiment has been rising in Turkey, particularly against Syrians, for several years because of a deep economic crisis that has seen soaring inflation.
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In order to discourage the attackers, the center’s manager raised a banner which said the center belongs to Turks.
However, they had already inflicted damages on the Quranic center.
A number of cities across Turkey have been scene of violent protests against Syrian refugees.
Tens of shops, houses and businesses belonging to Syrian refugees have been set on fire and radical nationalists are calling on Turks to intensify attacks on Syrians.
According to Turkey’s Interior Minster Ali Yerlikaya, 474 people have so far been arrested and tens of others are being sought for their involvement in the violence.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the violence, which he blamed opposition parties for stoking.
“It is unacceptable to burn houses, vandalize and set streets on fire,” he said. “Nothing can be achieved by fuelling xenophobia and hatred of refugees in society.”
More than 3.5 million Syrians live in Turkey, the highest number in the region, who were initially welcomed as refugees when the civil war erupted in Syria in 2011.
Most Syrians live under “temporary protection” status and many subsequently became Turkish citizens. But anti-refugee sentiment has been rising in Turkey, particularly against Syrians, for several years because of a deep economic crisis that has seen soaring inflation.
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