Saudi columnist apologises to Erdogan for offensive speech by university rector

A Saudi columnist wrote an apology to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan after a speech by the rector of Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University, in which he reportedly insulted Erdogan and Turkey.

Under the title: “We apologise to Turkey and Prime Minister Erdogan”, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tuwaijri wrote that the statements by the Saudi rector are “irresponsible.”

During the “International Conference on Fighting Terrorism” held recently in Madinah, the rector described Turkey as “the most lewd and corrupt country in Europe and said that it is far from Islam.” He also accused Erdogan of “debauchery” and said he had opened a “nudity club”.

“Erdogan and his colleagues have made tangible achievements in putting Turkey on the right path and in preserving the identity of its Muslim population who are a majority,” the writer said.

“Does the rector not know that there are thousands of Turks working and living in the Kingdom who will be hurt by such statements? Does he also not know that thousands or rather millions of Saudis visit Turkey during their vacations and that his statements may reflect on them adversely?”

“On behalf of the Saudi people, I sincerely apologise to Turkey and Erdogan for the unfortunate statements made by an irresponsible university rector who will definitely be penalized for what he has said.”