Crafting Cross-Border Connections: Religion and Perceptions of Erdoğan in the Middle East and North Africa

Abstract This study examines how religion influences public opinion about foreign leaders, focusing on attitudes toward Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a pivotal figure in mena . Through the lens of image theory and Arab public opinion research, it offers fresh perspectives on the complex interaction between religion, understood as a multidimensional concept, and public sentiment. The empirical analysis of Gallup and Arab Barometer surveys reveals meaningful effects of piety, sectarianism, and Islamist ideology on perceptions of Erdoğan. Particularly, Erdoğan’s portrayal as a devout Sunni leader and a staunch Islamist strongly resonates among ordinary Arab citizens. While opposition to normalization with Israel engender support for Erdoğan, anti-Americanism does not exert a meaningful effect relative to religious considerations. This study underscores the role of the secular-Islamist divide, piety, and sectarianism in shaping perceptions of foreign leaders, calling for further scholarly inquiry into the nexus of religion, international politics, and public opinion in mena .