New York (ANTARA News/AFP) - Amnesty International warned Friday of "fear" and "persecution" against Muslims in the United States after a radical pastor threatened to burn hundreds of Korans.

The US branch of the international human rights watchdog said it was "deeply concerned about the growing number of reports of crimes committed against Muslims and of other anti-Muslim sentiment."

The report mentioned the recent stabbing of a Muslim cab driver in New York, arson against a Tennessee mosque under construction and vandalizing of a California Islamic center, and also the hugely publicized Koran burning threat.

"These crimes... foster a climate of fear, discrimination and persecution against Muslims. They have no place in a society that values freedom, justice and equality," Amnesty said.

The organization urged US authorities "to take strong action against attacks directed at people of the Muslim faith.

"In a climate of fear and perceived external threat, it is essential that the authorities step up measures to ensure that people from all communities, whether citizens or not, are equally protected."
(Uu.M014/P003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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