Iran calls for Muslim rights in Europe

Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini has urged European countries to avoid encouraging Islamophobia.

“We expect European countries to guarantee the individual and social freedoms of Muslims,” Hosseini said, calling on Europe to adopt “dialogue among religions” as the basis for cooperation instead of “flaming conflicts and spreading Islamophobia.”

The Iranian minister made the remarks during a meeting with Director General of Austria’s National Library Johanna Rachinger in Tehran on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

Hosseini hailed Iran-Austria’s relations, and expressed hope for the enhancement of ties between the two countries.

Iran-Austria Cultural Committee was formed after the Second World War, and good steps have been taken to boost relations between the two countries and to have exchange visits by various academic delegations, he said.

During the meeting, a cooperation pact was also signed between Iran and Austria’s national libraries.

Rachinger, for her part, expressed willingness to enhance cultural ties with Iran’s National Library to familiarize the Austrian nation with the Iranian culture.