Prince Charles: Rising intolerance risks repeating the horrors of the past

British heir to the throne, Prince Charles, warns of the rise of populist extremism and intolerance towards other religions as a risk of repeating the 'horror' of the Holocaust, writes the British Guardian, reports Patria.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4, on the religious program Thought for the Day, the prince sharply criticized all forms of religious hatred and appealed to welcome everyone fleeing persecution.

- We have the opportunity to see the rise of many populist groups around the world, which are increasingly aggressive towards minority religious groups. All of this represents a disturbing echo of the dark days of the 1930s, said the prince, adding:

- My parents' generation fought and died fighting intolerance, monstrous extremism, and inhuman attempts to exterminate Jews from Europe, Charles explained.

Although he avoided naming politicians, some interpreted the interview and his comments as referring to the election of Donald Trump in the US, the strengthening of the far-right in Europe, and the hostile attitude towards refugees in Great Britain.

- It is incredible to me that 70 years later we are still witnessing such evil persecution, he said. "We owe it to those who suffered and died in such a way not to repeat the horrors of the past," Prince Charles was clear.

He also stated that religious hatred is on the rise, resulting in an increase in the number of refugees fleeing persecution.

- According to a United Nations report, in 2015, 5.8 million more people were forcibly displaced from their homes than in 2014. The total number of displaced people reached an incredible 65.3 million, which is almost equal to the total population of Great Britain, Charles was precise. "However, the suffering does not end even when they seek refuge in another country," Charles commented on the current problem.

The prince urged radio listeners to remember this Christmas "how the story of Christ's birth unfolds when the holy family flees persecution."

- We can also remember how the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina; he did so in search of freedom for himself and his followers, Charles added.

The prince also recalled a meeting with a Jesuit priest from Syria:

- He told me about mass kidnappings in parts of Syria and Iraq, and how he feared that Christians might be massively driven out of territories described in the Bible. It seemed entirely possible to him that in 5 years there would be no Christians left in Iraq.

He then added that the world does not want to see the extent to which religious persecution is happening around the world.

- Persecution is not just about Christians in the turbulent Middle East, Charles said, then citing a report indicating attacks on minority faiths.

Member of the European Parliament, Labour's Claude Moraes, who is also the chairman of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, welcomed the prince's intervention.

He said it was "obvious" which politicians the prince was referring to, "but he could not name them due to protocol."

- It was a good intervention at a time when right-wing media in Great Britain are dominant, spreading messages of intolerance against refugees and against the protective stance of the EU, Moraes was unequivocal in his statement to The Guardian.  

This was the third address by the heir to the British throne. He first spoke on the same program in 1995, and again in January 2000, marking the new Millennium.