The head of the Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate has said The Vatican is not doing enough to combat an increase in attacks on Muslims.
Mehmet Gormez, a senior Islamic figure in Turkey, cited figures showing there were 22 attacks on mosques in Germany between 2001 and 2012.
But from 2001 to 2013, this number increased to 36, and it has gone up to 70 when this year is included.
He called for all religious institutions to do more to stop members of "such a holy religion as Islam" being targeted.
Gormez made specific reference to an event during Holy Week last year where the Pope washed the feet of two Muslim women at a juvenile detention.
According to ANSA he said: "This [preventing attacks on Islam] cannot be accomplished by just washing the feet of a young lady or organizing an interfaith football match or tournament.
"It is necessary to prevent discriminative actions targeting the members of such a holy religion as Islam.
"The Religious Affairs Directorate also has many responsibilities in this regard."
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