Erdoğan Calls for Muslim Unity Beyond Ethnic and Sectarian Divisions
Islamabad: President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasized unity among Muslims, saying that the Muslim world should rise above ethnic and sectarian differences.
Speaking during a recent address, Erdoğan said that Muslims should not divide themselves by identity or sect. “We are not Turks, Arabs, or Kurds first—we are Muslims,” he said, stressing that Islam unites believers regardless of nationality or background.
He further stated that Muslims should not focus on sectarian distinctions such as Sunni or Shia, adding that the shared faith of Islam binds the community together.
Erdoğan also referred to prominent figures in Islamic history, saying they belong to the entire Muslim community. He mentioned Ali ibn Abi Talib, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Hasan ibn Ali, and Husayn ibn Ali as shared figures of reverence for Muslims.
He also said that Aisha bint Abu Bakr is regarded as the mother of believers and that Zaynab bint Ali is equally respected in Islamic history.
Erdoğan concluded that Islam teaches love, unity, and brotherhood, urging the Muslim Ummah to move forward with this message of solidarity and mutual respect.
