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Kuwaiti political activist slams Islamists for fanning radicalism
A leading political activist slammed Islamists in Kuwait, saying they have introduced extremism in the country, the local English daily Arab Times reported. "Islamic groups in Kuwait have drawn level with the Taliban and those donning the religious cloak are not angels, with some guilty of misappropriation of public funds," said Dr Ahmed Al-Munayyes. "Why do these America-haters go to the US to spend their holidays? I even saw a member of hardline Islamists, who raises hackles over music shows, attending a music party with his family in Bahrain." The government is also not doing much to control the menace of religious extremism, and the threat that these elements might hijack our country cannot be totally ruled out, Al Munayyes said. Even after the post of Crown Prince was separated from the Cabinet, the situation remains the same, he said. The liberals have protected the country from the absurdity of these groups, Al Munayyes emphasised, adding that the liberals formed the Constitution without letting the country slip into the clutches of fundamentalism. Asked about the US initiative for Middle East reforms and the role of Kuwait as an ally, Al Munayyes said: "We cannot forget that the US has its own interest in this region in its capacity as the sole superpower in the world, however, any reform should not overlook the individual sovereignty and freedom of the countries in the region." Speaking about the history of religious fundamentalism in the region, he said the 1967 defeat of Arabs at the hands of Israel, followed by the oppression of Palestinians and the fall of communism in Russia, all created a conducive atmosphere for the emergence of Islamic fundamentalism. An extremist version of Islam has been projected as the only viable option to challenge the superpower status of America, which led up to 9/11, he said.
Posted by: Fred 2004-03-15 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=28132 |