Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a scolding message President Obama’s way, telling him that if he failed to show proper interest in the execution-style shootings of three Muslim college students, he risked alienating the world.
“If you stay silent when faced with an incident like this, and don’t make a statement, the world will stay silent towards you,” he said during a speech in Mexico, BBC reported.
He included Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joseph Biden in his criticism, saying it’s incumbent on high-ranking political figures to take a stand on certain issues.
“As politicians, we are responsible for everything that happens in our countries and we have to show our positions,” said Mr. Erdogan, a devout Sunni Muslim, BBC reported.
The suspect in the recent shooting, Craig Hicks, turned himself in to police shortly after the shootings of three Muslim students of the University of North Carolina. Family and supporters of the victims allege the shootings were rooted in religious hatred, though Chapel Hill authorities, however, say evidence doesn’t yet support that claim.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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