Europe becoming open prison for Muslims: Erdoğan

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has complained that Europe is becoming an open prison for 35 million Muslims due to the spread of Islamophobia and discriminative laws passed by some prominent countries, including France.

“Racism, discrimination, animosity and intolerance towards immigrants are just a few of these maladies. Without a doubt, Islamophobia among them is just as dangerous as the coronavirus. This virus has rapidly been spreading, particularly in European countries,” Erdoğan said while addressing the final of the Holy Quran Recitation Contest broadcast by national broadcaster TRT late May 12.

“Europe, which is home to 35 million Muslims, including 6 million Turks, is now increasingly turning into an open-air prison for our brothers and sisters,” Erdoğan warned.

“I am putting it openly that there is no difference between the climate of hatred created against Jews before World War II and the atmosphere that is being instigated against Muslims today. To be a Muslim, to live like a Muslim in many Western countries, especially in France, is now enough to be labeled as the ‘other.’ Particularly women wearing the headscarf are the primary victims of this wave of hatred that is on the rise in Europe,” he suggested.

Underlining that European politicians, unfortunately, seek to exploit the virus of Islamophobia plaguing the society instead of fighting it, Erdoğan stated that the situation has now reached an alarming level, with Muslims who live in Europe facing grave threats against their security.

Turkey ready to work with France

The French government’s insistence on passing the law to combat extremism despite the Muslim community’s reaction has further raised concerns, Erdoğan pointed out. Underlining that the draft law in France will incite extremism, he stated that the promulgation of such a bill, which is openly in contradiction with human rights, religious freedom and European values, would guillotine the French democracy.

“We invite the French authorities, especially President of France Mr. Macron, to act with common sense. We expect the French Government to reverse as soon as possible this draft law passed by the Senate on April 12,” Erdoğan said, adding that Turkey was ready to work with everyone, including France, on integration and the fight against terror.