Erdogan urges unity at World Muslim Minorities Summit

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - APRIL 16: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for Muslim unity and brotherhood during the World Muslim Minorities Summit that began in Istanbul on Monday. Speaking at the first-ever Muslim minorities summit in Turkey, Erdogan said: “Differences should not be an obstacle to love and brotherhood." He said just like the direction of the Qibla -- the direction that a Muslim takes when praying -- is same, the hearts of all Muslims are also same despite them being in different locations around the world. Erdogan said attacks on Muslims minorities had become commonplace in many countries. "Today, attacks on Muslims and refugees have become commonplace in many states that practice democracy and law,” he said. He added that Muslim homes and workplaces as well as places of worship have been targeted by racist and fascist groups almost on a daily basis. The Turkish leader mentioned the fact that several anti-Muslim attacks have been reported in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. “Muslim women are being harassed on streets, at workplace just because they wear headscarves. “The western world wants to defend its own ideology and way of life through anti-Islamism. “Islam, which is the only religion that can respond to the depression of modern people, is being given labels through pre-planned terrorists,” Erdogan said. (Footage by Melik Firat Yucel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)