Erdogan Says Hostility Toward Islam Spreading Like an Epidemic

NEW YORK:Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that hostility toward Islam is spreading like an epidemic, while warning that the importance and effectiveness of the United Nations is declining.

Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Erdogan criticized the UN’s inability to effectively address major global crises and called for greater action on international issues.

The Turkish president also highlighted the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from the General Assembly for the second consecutive year. He said Abbas’s absence was an injustice to the Palestinian people that was hurting the conscience of the international community. Abbas was unable to attend in person after the United States denied him a visa, while the UN General Assembly allowed Palestine to participate virtually through a pre-recorded statement.

Erdogan said Türkiye would once again use the UN platform to convey the voice of the Palestinian people and support the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. He also called on countries that have not recognized Palestine to reconsider their positions.

The Turkish president further emphasized the need to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.