Erdogan in New York: 'Yes to Integration, No to Assimilation'
Turkish president addresses diaspora leaders at Gotham Hall, condemning rising Islamophobia and defending cultural preservation.
KEY POINTS
- Erdogan spoke at Gotham Hall event organized by TASC, UID, MUSIAD, USCMO
- Rejected assimilation demands: 'Yes to integration, no to assimilation'
- Cited hadith on Muslim brotherhood and Ottoman-era migration heritage
- Highlighted diaspora achievements including Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar
- Pledged continued support for YTB programs linking diaspora to Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed Turkish-American and Muslim community leaders at Gotham Hall in New York on Monday evening during his visit for the UN General Assembly. The event was organized jointly by TASC, UID, MUSIAD, and USCMO.
Erdogan described the gathering as a reflection of a deep-rooted heritage stretching from the Ottoman-era Gulcemal steamship to today's institutional presence across the United States. He emphasized a brotherhood transcending passports, borders, and geography, citing a hadith stating that a Muslim is a brother to another Muslim.
“We say yes to integration, no to every form of assimilation.”
The president sharply criticized Western expectations for immigrants to assimilate rather than integrate. He declared that Turkey says 'yes to integration, no to every form of assimilation,' arguing that preserving one's mother tongue and culture does not hinder social harmony.
Erdogan highlighted the community's contributions in science, business, health, and law, citing Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar as a source of pride. He pledged continued support for the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) projects strengthening ties with the homeland.
The speech framed the diaspora's role as a bridge against rising global Islamophobia and xenophobia. Erdogan vowed that the community would never accept second-class status while fighting injustices from Gaza to slanders targeting Turkey.
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