I’d like to see Musharraf’s plans to overcome the force of literalism within the Islamic community — if he has any. From Pakistan Link, with thanks to Kemaste:
RAWALPINDI: President General Pervez Musharraf Friday called for promoting true face of Islam as an enlightened, moderate and forward-looking religion to overcome obscurantism and extremism and to steer the Muslim world out of the current turmoil….
“The Muslim world has to reject extremism and go for socio-economic development but at the same time the West must resolve political disputes affecting Muslims with justice and help in addressing the root causes of extremism including poverty and illiteracy, other than political deprivation and human sufferings”. However, the President clarified that enlightened moderation does not amount to Westernization of Muslim world. “We will modernize within our values”….
“We have to transform and change the mindset-the vast majority in Pakistan is moderate but needs to assert itself, we have to get rid of extremism and let enlightened Islam prevail.” “We have to fight terrorism-crush extremism and militancy, bring harmony and promote enlightened Islam”. Pakistan, He said, can be a source and fountain head of enlightened Islam in the Muslim world and in this respect informed the Muslim scholars of the immediate and long-term steps to counter extremism.
“We have had great success and have caught more than 600 terrorists we do not want anyone fanning and financing extremism and terrorism in Pakistan-and we will continue this campaign”.
On sectarianism, he said, all segments of society should play their role in stopping the elements stoking sectarian hatred through misuse of loud speakers and distribution of hate material.
The gathering included leading scholars from the United States, Canada, Holland, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Syria, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Those, who spoke on the occasion, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in dealing with the challenges facing the Muslim world and said the international community greatly values the contributions of Pakistan and President Musharraf in this regard.