Photo: Collected
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticised cultural aggression against expatriate Muslims at a colourful gathering in New York in the United States. He said Muslim communities around the world cannot in any way be forced to forget their own language, fundamental culture and roots. Keeping their own identity intact, they will naturally blend in with the mainstream society of the country where they live (integration). Erdogan declared that the Muslim community is fully prepared to join the social and civic mainstream, but it completely rejects the ill attempt to forcibly erase its own culture.
The gathering of distinguished guests was held at New York’s historic Gotham Hall at the initiative of several renowned business and Muslim civic organisations including the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC). There, the Turkish head of state highlighted the critical situation of Muslims around the world, especially in European countries. He said that in the current global context, a tendency has developed to forcibly assimilate Muslims into the local culture rather than giving them the opportunity to maintain their own identity. He also made it clear that speaking in one’s mother tongue or practising one’s own traditions cannot be an obstacle to adapting as a citizen in any society.
In his speech, the Turkish president urged the expatriate community to build a strong position in the economy, politics, education, research and arts and culture of the host country. He advised them to work unitedly so that personal success does not remain confined to individual achievement but takes the form of lasting institutions and the social strength of future generations. He also remarked that there is no alternative to the expatriate Muslim community becoming institutionally strong in order to counter the racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia rising around the world.
At the same time, Erdogan highlighted the importance of active participation in the political process of the United States. Calling on expatriates to exercise their democratic rights, he advised them to go to polling centres in droves in the upcoming US midterm elections and make their opinion and political position known. He laid emphasis on maintaining a sense of brotherhood and mutual unity among expatriates in order to consolidate social and civic rights. Erdogan gave assurance that in any situation, Ankara would continue all kinds of cooperation by standing beside all Muslim communities including Turkish citizens on the world stage and abroad.
