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.”
For international politics, his comparison of alleged Islamophobia in the West to IS and treating it at equal par with the fanaticism of the infamous movement that is still alive in the Middle East has been the most memorable event of his four-day New York performance. What makes it even more interesting is that such a vitriolic assessment of the Western world is presented in the immediate aftermath of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Contrary to the perception of his many critics and opponents, Erdogan’s any step and statement is a well-choreographed move in advance. Contrary to the widespread belief about him, Erdogan is rarely impulsive. Therefore, his lament at the “virus of Islamophobia,” which he defined as “more destructive and more lethal” than the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to elevate and present himself as the uncontested leader of the Muslim world. He wants to be recognized as “the leader” of the Muslim world, speaking on behalf of them at the UN General Assembly.
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