Submit your comments on this article | |
Southeast Asia | |
One Moderate Muslim Applauds Another | |
2003-10-17 | |
The Indonesian President, Megawati Soekarnoputri, joined a standing ovation for her Malaysian counterpart, Mahathir Mohamad, after he called on Muslims to consider Jews as their enemy, it has been revealed. All 57 leaders at a Conference of Islamic Nations summit applauded the comments, which have renewed regional tensions ahead of next week’s APEC leaders’ conference. Among them were several key figures in the post-September 11 world, including Ms Megawati; the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai; President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. Dr Mahathir’s speech was met with a chorus of condemnation from leaders of non-Islamic states yesterday, including the Prime Minister, John Howard. The Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, last night snubbed Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Syed Hamid Albar, declining to invite him to a dinner to discuss Islam and the fight against terrorism at the Australian ambassador’s residence in Bangkok. Indonesia’s Hassan Wirayuda attended, along with the foreign ministers of New Zealand, Canada, Singapore and Japan and a US undersecretary of state, Alan Larson. "We will be exploring the issue of how to support moderate Islam and moderate Islamic leadership," Mr Downer said before the dinner. Have fun finding one
Dr Mahathir told the meeting of Islamic leaders in Malaysia on Thursday that "Jews rule this world by proxy". He accused Jews worldwide of "getting others to fight and die for them" and called on Muslims to fight back with their brain and brawn. Mr Howard noted that Dr Mahathir would retire soon, and said he would normally allow such polemical statements from the Malaysian leader to "go through to the keeper". However, he wanted to make clear that "any indication of rivalry between Jews and Muslims is very unhelpful". "Any suggestion from anybody anywhere in the world of dividing the world into Jewish and non-Jewish groupings is historically indefensible and wrong and something that all Australians, or most Australians, would regard as quite repugnant," he said. An Indonesian Government | |
Posted by:Kerry |
#3 while youre here TGA - thanks for the UNSC vote.:) Also saw the German ambassador to the UN on TV last night - he was asked about apparent refusal to contribute funds. He pointed out Germany has offered in kind contributions, including humanitarian and technical help, and training for Iraqi security forces. And suggested that money may be forthcoming at the donors conference beyond the $230 million the EU has pledged. (and of course we all know about German presence in Afghanistan) |
Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-10-17 11:43:41 AM |
#2 Adolf would be proud... "...and called on Muslims to fight back with their brain..." OMG, stick to explosives for crying out loud! |
Posted by: True German Ally 2003-10-17 11:34:07 AM |
#1 I'd comment, but my Jewish Master hasn't told me what to think yet today... |
Posted by: mojo 2003-10-17 11:29:05 AM |