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Islamic leaders call for change amidst terror and turbulence
Putrajaya, Oct 12: Terrorism and new turbulence in global politics forced Islamic nations at a major conference here today to temper their standard anti-Western and anti-Israeli positions with uncomfortable self-examination.
Putrajaya, Oct 12: Terrorism and new turbulence in global politics forced Islamic nations at a major conference here today to temper their standard anti-Western and anti-Israeli positions with uncomfortable self-examination.
The extent to which the Islamic world has been shaken by the fallout from the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States is exemplified by the new representatives from Afghanistan and Iraq -- both in place after US-led invasions.
Senior officials from the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) are preparing for the biggest Muslim summit since the airborne assault on New York and Washington, which some leaders hope will see a landmark change in attitudes. Leading the way is Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who has called for the OIC to be restructured to make it at once more vibrant and more moderate.
"President Musharraf will speak on the idea of enlightened moderation and closer cooperation among Muslim states to combat extremism and terrorism," a foreign ministry official said. The host of the October 16-17 summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, has also indicated his desire for change within an organisation weakened by internal differences.
"We think we should have a different strategy which can give us better results," he told the BBC in an interview. Bureau Report
Senior officials from the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) are preparing for the biggest Muslim summit since the airborne assault on New York and Washington, which some leaders hope will see a landmark change in attitudes. Leading the way is Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who has called for the OIC to be restructured to make it at once more vibrant and more moderate.
"President Musharraf will speak on the idea of enlightened moderation and closer cooperation among Muslim states to combat extremism and terrorism," a foreign ministry official said. The host of the October 16-17 summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, has also indicated his desire for change within an organisation weakened by internal differences.
"We think we should have a different strategy which can give us better results," he told the BBC in an interview. Bureau Report