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| March 8, 2006 | Wednesday | Safar 7, 1427 |
Call to bridge divide between Islam, West
LONDON, March 7: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz regretting the “unjustified profiling of Muslims and vilification” on Tuesday called for bridging the “dangerous divide” between Islam and the West and dialogue for interfaith harmony and understanding.
Addressing a select gathering at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), London, on “Pakistan’s Pivotal Role for Regional Peace, Stability and Progress,” the prime minister expressed his views on the recent publications and reprinting of the blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
“This dangerous divide between Islam and the West must be bridged. Extremists on both sides must not be allowed to push the agenda for a clash of civilizations,” the prime minister said.
Referring to the concept of ‘Enlightened Moderation’ by President Gen Musharraf, which calls upon Muslim societies to reform and the West to help resolve disputes that have caused suffering, anger and frustration among Muslims, he called for dialogue to promote inter-faith harmony, especially between Islam and the West.
He said while moderate forces in the Islamic world have taken on the challenge of combating terrorism, it is incumbent upon the western powers to facilitate this campaign by helping to bring about an early and durable end to the conflicts in the Muslim world, especially in Palestine and in Iraq. “These have spawned and sustained extremists — exploited by the masterminds of terror and providing them with willing recruits,” he added.
Prime Minister Aziz said Pakistan has been playing a key role in the international war against terrorism. He said Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism. “We are fighting this war, first and foremost, for our own security and progress. Our efforts have achieved significant successes. We are confident that the Al Qaeda network has been broken,” he added.
However, the prime minister said: “This does not mean that we are complacent. We will continue with our counter-terrorism efforts in coordination with the international community.”
He, however, was of the view that the solution lies in addressing the root causes that lie in the sense of deprivation, injustice and exploitation of people such as those in Palestine and elsewhere.
“It is also necessary to reject campaigns of prejudice and hate, especially linking terrorism with Islam,” he said and added: “Terrorism has neither faith nor nationality. Islam is a faith of peace, tolerance and compassion.”
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz briefly touched upon the recent Afghan history, which, he said, became a breeding ground for terrorism as a result of the internecine conflict among the Afghans.—APP
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