News

Turkey attacks Macron s plan to fight radical Islam

October 5, 2020 09:05 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Turkey on Monday condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to defend his country's secular values against radical Islam as a populist affront to Muslims.

The second successive day of Turkish anger at Macron's plan to "liberate Islam in France from foreign influences" adds to a growing list of disputes between the French leader and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Eighteen months before a French presidential election in which he is expected to face a challenge from the right, Macron last week described Islam as a religion "in crisis" worldwide.

Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a tweet that Macron's "dangerous and provocative" vision "encourages Islamophobia and anti-Muslim populism."

The ruling AKP party's spokesman Omer Celik tweeted that Macron's "talk about a 'French Islam' is a dictatorial approach and utter ignorance."

"Macron's point of view only provides ideological munitions to terror groups like the Islamic State."

And on Sunday, the Turkish foreign ministry said Macron's initiative would have "grave consequences rather than solve France's problems".

Turkish officials frequently attack Macron, who last year said NATO was showing signs of "brain death" by failing to stand up to Turkey's unilateral military intervention in Syria.

Macron and Erdogan are feuding about maritime rights in the eastern Mediterranean, Libya, Syria and -- most recently -- the escalating conflict in Azerbaijan's Armenian separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkey is a majority Muslim but secular country which is a part of NATO but not the EU, where its membership bid has stalled for decades over a range of disputes.

 

 



Most Read

  1. Maryam Nawaz can wear uniform! Maryam Nawaz can wear uniform!
  2. Madiha Rizvi ties the knot again Madiha Rizvi ties the knot again
  3. Zara Noor Abbas inspired by Rani Mukerji Zara Noor Abbas inspired by Rani Mukerji
  4. Here is all about Madiha Rizvi’s second husband Here is all about Madiha Rizvi’s second husband
  5. Two patients die, injuries of 12 others multiplied after roof collapse at Gujrat hospital Two patients die, injuries of 12 others multiplied after roof collapse at Gujrat hospital
  6. Humayun Saeed and Saboor Aly under fire for close interaction in public Humayun Saeed and Saboor Aly under fire for close interaction in public

Opinion

  1. Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir
    Legacy of Indian military subjugation in Kashmir

    By Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai

  2. Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy
    Islamabad becoming the hub of international diplomacy

    By Salim Bokhari

  3. Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph
    Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph

    By Zulfiqar Ali Mir

  4. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  5. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  6. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay