Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Turks to boycott French goods as tensions rise over plans to reform Islam in France.
Erdogan’s latest remarks come two days after he questioned French President Emmanuel Macron’s mental health, following his controversial comments on Islam.
“Just like they say ‘Don’t buy good with Turkish brands’ in France, I am calling to all my citizens from here to never help French brands or buy them,” Erdogan said.
France is the 10th biggest importer into Turkey and the seventh biggest market for Turkey’s exports, according to Turkey’s statistical institute.
Among major French imports, autos are among the highest selling cars in Turkey.
Shares in the Turkish unit of French-American telecoms equipment company Alcatel Lucent were down 10% on the Istanbul stock exchange after Erdogan’s comments, according to Reuters.
“European leaders with foresight and morals must break down the walls of fear,” Erdogan said in a speech at the start of a week of activities in Turkey to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad.
“They must put an end to the anti-Islam agenda and hate campaign that Macron is leading.”
Earlier in October, Macron pledged to fight “Islamist separatism”, saying it was threatening to take over some Muslim communities in France.
Muslims Anger
There’s growing anger in the Muslim world over images being displayed in France of the Prophet Mohammad.
In Bangladesh on Monday, protesters waved placards with a caricature of French President Emmanuel Macron and the words: “Macron is the enemy of peace”, while Pakistan summoned France’s ambassador in Islamabad to issue a protest.
In Saudi Arabia, calls for a boycott of French supermarket chain Carrefour were trending on social media.
Qatar’s government issued a statement on Monday condemning what it described as populist rhetoric inciting the abuse of religions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that insulting Muslims is an “opportunistic abuse of freedom of speech. It only fuels extremism.”
