Erdogan calls for integration of Muslims in the West, rejects assimilation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the integration of Muslim communities in Western societies while explicitly rejecting assimilation, telling an audience at an event in New York, "We say yes to integration, but no to all forms of assimilation."

The remarks position Erdogan as drawing a line between two concepts often debated in discussions of migration and religious minority communities in Western countries: integration, which typically allows communities to retain elements of their cultural and religious identity while participating in broader society, and assimilation, which generally implies adopting the dominant culture and shedding distinct identity markers.

Part of a broader message

Erdogan has repeatedly used international platforms to speak on behalf of Muslim communities living outside Muslim-majority countries, framing integration policies as a matter of importance for Turkey and the wider Muslim world.

The New York event where the comments were made was not further detailed, though such remarks often accompany Erdogan's appearances during high-profile diplomatic gatherings in the United States.

No further elaboration on specific policies or countries referenced in the comments was included in the initial report.