President Ma Ying-jeou attended a seminar sponsored by the Muslim World League yesterday, and spoke on the topic of "common values of humanity." Ma stated that the consolidation of democracy in Taiwan is what enables a variety of religions to flourish on the island.

But when asked about his view on the pro-democracy "Jasmine Revolution" in Tunisia and China, Ma declined to make any comment.

President Ma Ying-jeou shaked hands with Secretary-General of Muslim World League Al Turki.

As many countries in North Africa and the Middle East are experiencing pro-democracy movements, President Ma expressed his concerns during a private meeting with Turki prior to the public handshaking.

President Ma was all smiles when facing cameras, but refusing to comment on the Jasmine Revolution.

At the seminar on Muslim issues, he delivered an opening speech, praising the universal value of democracy from the perspective of freedom of religion in Taiwan.

Though the Jasmine Revolution has created something of a chain reaction even reaching to China, President Ma remains low-key and hasn't yet spoken on the topic, which infuriated the opposition.

While the number of casualties is rising in the Jasmine Revolution in Muslim countries,

President Ma said he hoped the people in Muslim countries can follow the peace-focused Islamic principles when seeking democracy and the movements would end peacefully.