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Malaysian Islamic Leader Says the U.S. is "Mother of All Terrorists"
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - In the strongest condemnation of the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan on Monday, the Malaysian opposition party, the Party Islam Se Malaysia (PAS), said the U.S. was the "mother of all terrorists".
The Islamic party that rules two states in northern Malaysia, and is the major opposition faction in the country, said that by its action, the U.S. had proven that it is not democratic.
The Islamic party's youth chief, Mahfuz Omar, added that the U.S. is a terrorist state and is the leader of all terrorists.
"Where is the proof that Osama bin Laden had committed the [terrorist] acts and that the Taliban is harboring him," Mahfuz said, dismissing documents presented by the U.S. to world leaders.
Mahfuz also criticized a statement made by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday, which had earlier said that Malaysia condemned the U.S. decision to attack Afghanistan.
According to the PAS youth leader, Mahathir's stand contradicted Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar's statement that the government was satisfied with the U.S. embassy's explanation on its campaign against bin Laden.
Malaysia has condemned the attack on Afghanistan, with Mahathir saying his country would not join the U.S. in its "crusade" against terrorism.
He said the attacks would not be effective in solving the problems of terrorism.
"This is not to say that there will not be any more terrorist[s], although we do not agree with countries that harbor terrorists," he said.
Mahfuz also urged the Organization of Islamic Council (OIC) to out rightly condemn the attacks on Kabul and unite to support the people of Afghanistan.
"Malaysia should give its support not only to Afghanistan refugees, but also to the people who are victims of the attacks," he said.
Mahathir said it was time for Muslim leaders to act in a rational manner to restore the image of Islam in the light of the terrorist attacks.
He was challenged by PAS deputy president Abdul Hadi Awang who asked him if Malaysia has come up with a clear definition of "terrorism".
Hadi Awang said that according to Islam, all violence is abhorred even in the face of attacks by other groups.
Mahathir replied that Malaysia was cautious with the definition as it varies according to the situation.
"In Africa, freedom fighters who fight colonialization such as [Kenya's first president] Jomo Kenyatta were considered terrorist in their countries, so was Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe," he said.
"How about the Palestinian people? In this aspect, we consider the government of Israel as a terrorist, as it chooses to handle its problems by violence," he added.
Mahathir was also asked his stand on U.S. President George W. Bush's statement, "Either you're with them or us."
"At that moment, he may be very emotional. But when he spoke with me through the telephone he did not seem like that. He did not repeat that statement to me," said Mahathir.
"Bush seems to understand that we will handle the matter differently, although we should be an ally to America when they fight against terrorism," he added.
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