While addressing the 23rd annual convention of the Muslim American Society (MAS) in a video message on Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Western nations of turning a blind eye towards Islamophobia under the guise of “freedom of thought”.
Erdoğan’s remarks were explicitly directed towards France, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of “contempt” towards Prophet Muhammad, after the leader defended the rights of Charlie Hebdo magazine, which republished offensive caricatures of the Prophet in September. Alongside the republication of the controversial cartoon on the five year anniversary of the attack on the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, the country was thrown into turmoil after professor Samuel Paty was beheaded—by an 18-year old Chechen immigrant turned ISIS sympathiser—for showing the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during his lesson on free speech.
The French leader has also introduced a number of checks and balances that are aimed at regulating Islamic institutions in the country, which some critics say unfairly and disproportionately target the Muslim community. Macron’s actions and attitudes towards Muslims and Islam have drawn criticism from not just Turkey, but also Iran and Pakistan, along with several Arab nations.
Erdoğan stressed in his speech that insulting people’s beliefs had nothing to do with freedom, and warned against the rise of cultural racism, discrimination, and intolerance “in countries that for many years have been hailed as cradles of democracy.” Describing Islamophobia as a virus spreading faster than COVID-19, he further noted that Islamophobia and xenophobia had turned into a “trend” that “captures the politics, complicates daily life and directs state policies.” and expressed dismay over how “it has now become ordinary to marginalize Muslims because of their faith, languages, names or appearance” in many countries.
The Turkish president also condemned the burning of the Quran in Sweden, the tearing of the Quran in Norway, and the attacks against Muslims in New Zealand, Canada, and Chapel Hill. He argued that ideological fanaticism has gained more ground and that those who “pat the backs of those who burn the Quran, those who encourage insults to our Prophet, and those who ignore the attacks against the mosques do all these not in the name of freedom, but to hide the fascism in them”.
Erdoğan stressed that “remaining silent in the face of such injustice and unlawfulness” was “not suitable” for a Muslim, regardless of who acts in that way. “A Muslim is a representative of a mission that takes responsibility for peace, for justice, for the comfort and well-being of entire humanity. A Muslim is the person who indoctrinates confidence in his environment and who is trusted by people for his attitudes and words. It is not suitable for a Muslim to bestow hand on people’s lives, property, dignity, or even not to show respect, just because he/she has other religious affiliations,” the leader said. He added, “Turning his/her back on their brother/sister or stabbing his/her brother/sister will never fit a Muslim.” Hence, he presented Turkey as a glowing example to follow, asserting that the country does not hesitate to respond if anyone targets their sacred values.
“We are trying to follow a balanced, fair, and self-confident policy that will set an example for all humanity, especially regarding religious freedoms. We do not interfere with anybody's beliefs or lifestyle, and we guarantee the freedom of worship of all our citizens living in the country,” the president said.
He also celebrated the close ties the Turkish diaspora in America had built with other Muslim groups and said that the annual meeting of the MAS will give hope and strength to the Islamic society.
Turkish President Erdoğan Condemns Rising Islamophobia in the West
At the Muslim American Society Convention, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the Muslim world is battling the ‘virus’ of Islamophobia alongside COVID- 19.
December 3, 2020
SOURCE: TIME MAGAZINE