OSCE Mission to Moldova welcomes registration of Muslim community, calls for religious tolerance

CHISINAU, 27 May 2011 - Today the OSCE Mission to Moldova welcomed recent registration of the first Muslim organization in Moldova but also expressed concerns about recent manifestations of intolerance and urged Moldova to maintain its commitment to religious tolerance.

“All OSCE participating States are committed to respect the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief for all and without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,” said Ambassador Philip Remler, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. “In this regard, I welcome the registration of Islamic League of the Republic of Moldova as a religious community.”

Remler referred to the Madrid 1983 and 1989 Vienna Concluding Documents, by which Moldova as an OSCE participating State committed itself to granting religious communities an official status upon their request and in accordance with Moldova’s constitutional framework.

“However, the recent manifestations of intolerance towards Muslims raise concerns,” Remler added, noting that public personalities, political and religious leaders have an important responsibility to foster mutual respect and understanding.

Remler called on political leaders to condemn intolerance and discrimination, including against Muslims, and to promote tolerance, mutual respect and understanding among citizens of the Republic of Moldova.