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The idea of moderate Islam was invented by the West and is being used to weaken the ancient religion, Turkeys President Recep Erdogan has said in reference to Saudi Arabias reforms, while also lashing out at the EUs discrimination of Muslims.

Last month, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, vowed to restore moderate Islam to the kingdom considered to be "home" of the religion. The Gulf monarchy currently follows a Salafist or Wahhabi version of Islam that is often described as being "ultraconservative" and administered through Islamic Sharia law. In what appears to be a direct reference to Saudi Arabias Crown Prince, Erdogan denounced a moderate interpretation of Islam in a speech delivered at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Womens Advisory Council on Friday.

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The term moderate Islam is being lathered up again. The patent of moderate Islam belongs to the West. There is no moderate or immoderate Islam; Islam is one. The aim of using such terms is to weaken Islam, Erdogan said in Ankara.

Perhaps the person voicing this concept thinks it belongs to him. No, it does not belong to you, he added, recalling, that he was asked about moderate Islam at meetings in the European Parliament many years ago.

The thrust of Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030, is to socially transform the Wahhabi brand of Sunni Islam, which bans gender mixing, concerts and cinemas. Starting in the summer of next year, women in Saudi Arabia will be permitted to drive. In the new year, women would also be allowed to attend sporting events as the monarchy continues to usher in its liberalization reforms.

Last month the Prince unveiled a plan to construct a $500-billion state of the art city across its borders into Jordan and Egypt. The new mega-city is to be erected with the aim of diversifying the Arab countrys economy andreducing its dependency on oil.

Riyadhs reforms have been accompanied by a massive anti-corruption drive, which saw a purge of the kingdoms political and business elite, including 11 princes. The kingdoms closest ally, the US, has welcomed the campaign, with President Donald Trump saying those arrested had been milking their country for years.

READ MORE: 11 Saudi princes, 4 ministers arrested as crown prince unleashes crackdown on corruption

They say we will return to moderate Islam, but they still dont give women the right to drive. Is there such a thing in Islam? I guess they will give this right when they turn to the moderate one, Erdogan noted Friday.

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The Turkish president also lashed out against the EU for approving a series of so-called burka bans introduced in recent years, calling it a discrimination against Muslim women.

"Headscarves are gradually being banned in EU states with the public - personal space trick, attempting to bar Muslim women from entering social life. Attempts to incarcerate Muslim women in their homes is spreading like a virus," Erdogan said.

Traditional Islamic head and face coverings have long been controversial in Europe, where they are often seen as incompatible with secular values. France became the first European country to impose a ban on full-face coverings in 2011. Belgium followed suit shortly thereafter. German MPs approved a partial ban on full-face veils this April, saying its the countrys duty to present itself in an ideologically and religiously neutral manner. Austrias parliament also endorsed a package of measures that outlaws distribution of the Koran and wearing traditional Islamic full-face veils in public.

"Those who are teaching us lessons on human rights are unfortunately applauding as the most basic human rights are being trampled in their countries," said Erdogan.

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Erdogan rejects moderate Islam as a Western tool to weaken ...