Orthodox church set on fire in Macedonia

An Orthodox church was set on fire in the village of Labuniste, southwestern Macedonia, Skoplje-based media have reported.

Izvor: Beta

Tuesday, 31.01.2012.

11:29

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An Orthodox church was set on fire in the village of Labuniste, southwestern Macedonia, Skoplje-based media have reported. The church was two centuries old and housed valuable icons. Orthodox church set on fire in Macedonia The village is "inhabited by Muslim residents", said reports. According to preliminary information, unidentified perpetrators caused fire which damaged considerable part of the site. The information attracted attention as in the last few days tensions have increased in this part of the country, after ethnic Albanians living in this area launched protests due to, as they put it, offenses against them at the recent traditional carnival in the nearby village of Vevcani, in the surrounding of Struga. At the carnival on January 13 and 14, one of the masks satirically mocked Islam's holy book Koran. After this, ethnic Albaniasn set a Macedonian flag on fire and started their protests. The Islamic religious community asked for an apology from the Vevcani local authorities "for the rude joke", and called on the state organs to take measures and punish those who insulted Islam and Albanians. The major of Vevcani refused to apologize, explaining that this is a traditional way of mocking at various social events, and that it was not aimed against any community in the country. According to Beta news agency, ethnic Albanians in Macedonia "also reacted" to Macedonian fans, who, while supporting their national team in the European Handball Championship held in Serbia, chanted "anti-Albanian slogans". Beta Tanjug

Orthodox church set on fire in Macedonia

The village is "inhabited by Muslim residents", said reports.

According to preliminary information, unidentified perpetrators caused fire which damaged considerable part of the site.

The information attracted attention as in the last few days tensions have increased in this part of the country, after ethnic Albanians living in this area launched protests due to, as they put it, offenses against them at the recent traditional carnival in the nearby village of Vevcani, in the surrounding of Struga.

At the carnival on January 13 and 14, one of the masks satirically mocked Islam's holy book Koran.

After this, ethnic Albaniasn set a Macedonian flag on fire and started their protests.

The Islamic religious community asked for an apology from the Vevcani local authorities "for the rude joke", and called on the state organs to take measures and punish those who insulted Islam and Albanians.

The major of Vevcani refused to apologize, explaining that this is a traditional way of mocking at various social events, and that it was not aimed against any community in the country.

According to Beta news agency, ethnic Albanians in Macedonia "also reacted" to Macedonian fans, who, while supporting their national team in the European Handball Championship held in Serbia, chanted "anti-Albanian slogans".

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