Europe becomes ‘a prison’ for Muslims, says Erdogan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who poses as a defender of Muslims worldwide, once again attacked European countries and, in particular, France, denouncing Islamophobia.

Denouncing the spread of Islamophobia and deeming discriminatory laws adopted by certain European countries, including France, the Turkish President said that Europe is turning into a prison for Muslims.

“Racism, discrimination, animosity, and intolerance towards immigrants are just a few of these diseases. There is no doubt that Islamophobia is as dangerous as the coronavirus. This virus has spread quickly, especially in European countries,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, May 12, in a speech broadcast by the national channel TRT (Turkish Radio-Television).

“Europe, which is home to 35 million Muslims, including six million Turks, is increasingly turning into an open-air prison for our brothers and sisters,” he insisted.

He also said he saw “no difference between the climate of hatred against Jews before World War II” and the atmosphere created today towards Muslims. He added that this many concerned countries, including France.

Mr. Erdogan called the bill against separatism in France a “guillotine blow” for French democracy, arguing that it was contrary to human rights, freedom of worship, and European values.

Turkey ready to work with France

However, the Turkish President declared that Turkey is ready to “work with France” in the fields of counterterrorism and “integration”.

Freedom of worship is added to the list of disputes between Paris and Ankara, such as the Syrian and Libyan issues and the eastern Mediterranean. Tensions between the two capitals escalated last fall when the Turkish President questioned the sanity of his French counterpart, who defended the right to caricature Muhammad in France.