Erdogan attempts to bury policy failures by rewriting history

You have to hand it to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He has a knack for turning a non-consequential, perhaps even boring, gathering into mind-boggling global news. On Nov. 15, Erdogan gave a closing speech at the Latin American Muslim Leaders Summit in Istanbul. Not even 10 minutes into his speech, Erdogan said: “The introduction of Islam into the American continent dates back to the 12th century. It is claimed that [Christopher] Columbus discovered the continent in 1492. However, 314 years before Columbus, in 1178, Muslim sailors reached the American continent. Indeed, in Columbus’ diaries there is a reference to a mosque on a hill near the sea shore. We can have a talk with my Cuban brother here [referring to the delegate from Cuba to the summit]. A mosque would suit well on that hill today, if they allow it.”

The audience is seen clapping with enthusiasm as the camera focuses on some delegates with big grins. While I was watching it live, I thought Erdogan's comment was a joke in the spirit of the moment. Yet, Erdogan was serious.

He went on the say: “So, before Columbus arrived, Islam was established and spreading across the American continent. We must also emphasize that Islam as a religion was never a tool of colonialism, abuse or slavery. While others have used their religion to subdue people, Islamic states have only been after conquering their souls.” Though his speech was not yet complete, Erdogan’s remarks on the Muslim conquest of the Americas had already made the headlines of major domestic and foreign news agencies.

The initial reactions were humorous. Some viewers tweeted the news with a warning note: “This is not a joke.” Another wrote: “Maybe … somebody gave Erdogan a copy of Sindbad The Sailor and he misunderstood it? One commented: “This is what happens when you turn off the Internet.”