KARACHI, Dec 20: Federal Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider advised the US government here on Thursday to desist from converting the current war in Afghanistan into a conflict between Islam and Christianity, saying the repercussion and fallout of adventurism may spell disaster for the world peace.

He was talking to newsmen after a seminar on “Terrorism: A New Challenge to the World of Islam,” which was also attended by envoys of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria and scores of international Muslim scholars.

He said Muslims and Christians had been coexisting for the last 1,400 years and there was no reason they get embroiled in unnecessary conflicts.

“The present escalation of global unrest which has recently erupted may be attributed to a sequel of incessant cycle of injustices and indiscreet policies followed by some countries aimed at usurping the rights of poor and weaker countries,” Moin Haider said.

Lack of resources, growing level of poverty and non-availability of proper diet to the inhabitants of most of the world countries had spurred feelings of despondency and alienation among them which were exploding into different forms of terrorism, he added.

Referring to the intentions of President General Pervez Musharraf, he said with sincerity of purpose and selfless approach he was aspiring to transform Pakistan into a modern and moderate country which was envisioned by the Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal.

The interior minister said the government would not tolerate the extremist minority religious elements who were seeking to take over the reigns of the government through brute force.

He said in order to overcome major problems “we all will have to set our priorities collectively and individually,” as this was the only option available to take the Muslim World out of the quagmire it was currently in.— PPI