"Turkey's growing ties with Arab world
By Amberin Zaman Turkish affairs commentator
Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan (centre) and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Nasser al-Ahmad al-Sabah (left) in Kuwait City Turkey is using a 'soft power' approach in its dealings with Arab leaders
On 10 January, before an audience of eminent Islamic scholars in Kuwait City, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was awarded the 'Outstanding Personality in the Muslim World' prize.
Drawing on his training as a Muslim cleric, Mr Erdogan elicited cries of 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Great) as he launched into a passionate tirade against Israel and its treatment of the Palestinians in his acceptance speech. "
More:BBC News - Turkey's growing ties with Arab world