In New York, Erdogan plays to domestic audience
Erdogan's New York trip was mainly aiming to boost his dwindling support at home, yet the trip has apparently failed to achieve its main objective.
During his speech at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has likened the ideological fanaticism in the Western world to the Islamic State’s (IS) fanaticism, sending shockwaves to the international community.
“We as the humanity fight against yet another virus that is more destructive, more lethal and more insidious than COVID-19. It is called the ‘virus of Islamophobia.’ This virus is rapidly spreading in countries that have for years been shown as the cradle of democracy and freedoms,” he said. “Islamophobia and xenophobia have now taken captive the politics. They have turned into a destructive trend that disrupts Muslims' daily lives, directs state policies and threatens social peace.”
