Here Shaukat Aziz repeats platitudes we have heard many times before, and yet again pretends that the problem of Islamic terrorism stems from “Islamophobia,” while never acknowledging or confronting the fact that the “few” who are committing terrorist acts are the ones who are making the equation between Islam and terrorism. If they would stop equating Islam and terrorism, non-Muslims would stop making the association also.
“Attempts to equate Islam with terrorism must be rejected: Shaukat Aziz,” from APP, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
LONDON, Jun 4 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said attempts to equate Islam with terrorism must be rejected, as Islam offers the message of humanity, egalitarianism, moderation, tolerance and coexistence. “There are perverse attempts to equate Islam with terrorism. We must reject this travesty” he said in a video address at the opening of the ‘Islam in the World Today’ conference at Lancaster House, central London.
Prime Minister Aziz said terrorism has no religion, colour, race or country. “We should reject stigmatization and combat the increased phenomena of Islamophobia”.
He said efforts to link terrorism with Islam reveal “ignorance or sinister motives and these attempts must be thwarted”.
Prime Minister Aziz, stressing the importance of avoiding intellectual flawed characterizations, said, “terms like Islamists, terrorism, Islamic militants, Jehadist ideology and Jehadists are wrong and insensitive”.
He said there was a need to develop a deeper understanding of extremism and terrorism as well as an acceptable phraseology that accurately captures the phenomena and does not single out any particular creed or community.
Prime Minister Aziz said Islam is today a widely misunderstood and misrepresented religion, and the true message of Islam of peace, tolerance and harmony is not fully appreciated.
“The actions of a few should not influence perceptions about Islam and Muslims, the majority of whom are peace loving, responsible citizens across the world”, he added.