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| Southeast Asia |
| Malaysia runs anti-terrorist TV ads |
| 2005-01-28 |
| A coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in mainly Muslim Malaysia, headed by a son of former premier Tun Mahathir Mohamad, is running a series of television advertisements denouncing terrorism as un-Islamic. 'Violence dishonours faith,' say the clips, produced by the coalition known as Peace Malaysia, which was set up in January 2003 ahead of the US' invasion of Iraq. A baby boy is featured in one of the segments aired on private channel TV3 during primetime news bulletins. It shows him growing up and graduating from university, turning to militancy and dying in conflict. Islam tells its believers not to kill children, women, the elderly and people in places of religious worship during combat, says another advertisement. 'Our objective is to promote global peace. It is a reminder to us here that we are living in peaceful conditions. Other countries are not so lucky,' said Peace Malaysia coordinator Mukhriz Mahathir. 'We want to promote diplomacy,' said Mr Mukhriz, whose father was a strong critic of the US invasion of Iraq, warning that it would spawn more Islamic militancy. Mr Chandra Muzaffar, political analyst and adviser to the group of more than 100 NGOs, said: 'It is in line with Peace Malaysia's goal of pursuing peace, we are committed to non-violence as it is against Islam. 'The emphasis is against violence as embodied in Islam. The killing of civilians in any battle or war is against what is integral to Islamic thought and philosophy.' But Mr Mukhriz said the advertisements were not triggered by fears of a rise in militancy. 'Our grouse is mainly with Western leaders. They still can't sit down and discuss things in a peaceful manner.' Terrorism is a 'topical subject right now. The occupation of Iraq is still big news. Now there's talk of Iran', he added. 'In Malaysia, we are lucky. Politically, we may have different perspectives but everyone shares a tolerant viewpoint. Malaysia has been described as a 'beacon of tolerance' and we want people to realise this.' |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #10 DB: He told me stuff from the local papers in Kuching about the Indonesians that would be considered racist here if we said that about the Mexicans. The US is one of the most politically correct places around. I can tell you that most Europeans I've encountered are shockingly (to me) blunt about their prejudices - about Indians, Jews, et al. I have no doubt the non-Western world tends to speak with even more candor. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-01-28 11:11:01 PM |
| #9 My brother would beg to differ with that "Malaysia is a beacon of tolerance" crap. He told me stuff from the local papers in Kuching about the Indonesians that would be considered racist here if we said that about the Mexicans. And I don't think the Chinese necessarily sleep peacefully surrounded by the rest of the population. The minute their economy goes in the toilet is when this "toleration" disappears. Al-Qaeda was and is still present there. |
| Posted by: Desert Blondie 2005-01-28 10:34:56 PM |
| #8 Heheh, hardly 2b. Actually trying to point out the disinformation from that place. Something lots of people know about but little made known openly unless you care to visit some of their local blogs. When you do, you'll realize the real facts better. Thanks to the Internet, this and a lot more info became possible. M'sia boasts a lot. |
| Posted by: Duh 2005-01-28 11:38:03 AM |
| #7 thanks. Sounds like he's planning on running for office to me. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-01-28 10:35:43 AM |
| #6 I think I know what Duh is getting at. Mukhriz is the son of anti-semitic moonbat extraordinaire Mohammed Mahathir. It's unlikely that the apple fell all that far from the tree. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-01-28 10:28:22 AM |
| #5 I'm guessing English isn't your first language. I'm really not sure what you are trying to say. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-01-28 10:10:48 AM |
| #4 The problem with M'sia is that Wannabe-ism cum sneaky islamisation. The supremistic thrust of that reinforces discrimination which is officially driven for the majority. This ensures loss of economic competitiveness overall and an impossibility to get anywhere close to being an egalitarian state. These people like Muzaffar(or Farish Noor), intellectuals, as they're regarded, never dare confront this directly but beats about the bush, trying to point fingers. Mukhriz is just the son of the ex-PM. He should only boast of M'sia being a ’beacon of tolerance’ when there is no islamic anti apostasy existing and no under the counter discrimination of other faiths merely to make islam supreme. Ask them how many new churches have been built lately and how many mosques mushrooming all over all the time? Just becoz they don't burn down the same does not qualify these boaster cocks to claim tolerance. |
| Posted by: Duh 2005-01-28 10:01:59 AM |
| #3 The problem with M'sia is that Wannabe-ism cum sneaky islamisation. The supremistic trust of that reinforces discrimination which is officially driven for the majority. This ensures loss of economic competitiveness overall and an impossibility to get anywhere close to being an egalitarian state. These people like Muzaffar(or Farish Noor), intellectuals, as they're regarded, never dare confront this directly but beats about the bush, trying to point fingers. Mukhriz is just the son of the ex-PM. He should only boast of M'sia being a ’beacon of tolerance’ when there is no islamic anti apostasy existing and no under the counter discrimination of other faiths merely to make islam supreme. Ask them how many new churches have been built lately and how many mosques mushrooming all over all the time? Just becoz they don't burn down the same does not qualify these boaster cocks to claim tolerance. |
| Posted by: Duh 2005-01-28 9:59:41 AM |
| #2 hmmm....I think you are right, Duh. ’The emphasis is against violence as embodied in Islam. The killing of civilians in any battle or war is against what is integral to Islamic thought and philosophy.’ But Mr Mukhriz said the advertisements were not triggered by fears of a rise in militancy. ’Our grouse is mainly with Western leaders. They still can’t sit down and discuss things in a peaceful manner.’ Just an anti-war message for suckers who still wonder what happens if you have a war and no one shows up - (answer: rape, murder, genocide by one side, which is unhindered by the other). |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-01-28 8:13:49 AM |
| #1 BS disinformation from the Malaysian big names islamic apologists....paving the way for Al'Jazeera which is about to set up a regional hub from Malaysia. |
| Posted by: Duh 2005-01-28 2:19:39 AM |