From September 1st
Q.) How did Erdogan tame the multinational powers not to interfere in our Muslim identities?
A.) Well,, the short answer regarding how Erdogan tamed the multinationals is that he didn’t. Despite Erdogan’s successful promotion of Islamic identity, his economic policy is quite neoliberal, and this is causing a great deal of problems in the country. He is supported here in spite of his economic program, not because of it, and this is mostly due to his efforts to undo the intolerant, anti-Islamic elements of the State. Religiously, there is no alternative to the AK party in Turkey.
Income disparity is increasing, poverty is increasing, unemployment is increasing, more than 60% of Turkish families are in debt, foreign investors and multinationals have been buying state assets, so on and so on.
There are more billionaires in Turkey than there used to be, so by working definition, it is a booming economy; the reality is quite different.
But yes, Erdogan promotes Muslim identity, may Allah reward him for that. However, a considerable amount of this work has actually been achieved by the Gulen Movement, and the AK Party has largely been the political beneficiary of their da’awah.
Turkey is a unique case, with a very unique history, and while some aspects may apply to Egypt, many others do not.