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Malaysia: PM Says 'Huge Chasm' Between West And Islam
 Kuala Lumpur, 10 Feb. (AKI) - Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday warned that a "huge chasm has emerged between the West and Islam," mainly because of Muslim frustrations over Western policies in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Many in the West directly identify Islam with violence, and view a Muslim as a congenital terrorist, Abdullah told an international conference in Kuala Lumpur on the future relationship between the West and the Muslim world. They (the West) think Osama bin Laden speaks for the religion and its followers. The demonisation of Islam and the vilification of Muslims, there is no denying, is widespread within mainstream Western society, Abdullah, and Islamic scholar said. | Now, why do you think that is? |
But he suggested Muslims must also play a role in overcoming the current friction. They should halt their "sweeping denunciation of Christians, Jews and the West" as well as violence and terror perpetrated by fringe groups, he said. Malaysia currently chairs the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). About 60 scholars, academics, religious leaders and writers from Europe, US and Muslim countries are participating in the two-day meeting, which will discuss mutual misperceptions and the impact of globalization on the Muslim world.
Posted by: 2006-02-10 |
