Moderate Indonesian Clerics Blame Blair
Charles Johnson
Thu Mar 30, 2006 at 8:46 am PST • Views: 245
Islamic leaders in Indonesia told Tony Blair yesterday that he’s causing extremism, and urged him to deal with Hamas. (Hat tip: Ethel.)
INDONESIA and Britain agreed yesterday to strengthen anti-terror ties, but Islamic leaders told visiting Prime Minister Tony Blair that his policies were breeding extremism.
The five Islamic leaders, known as moderates on social and political issues, urged Mr Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq and talk to the recently elected Hamas Government in the West Bank.
“He didn’t respond specifically to our requests, but hopefully tonight he will wake up and realise our suggestions make good sense,” said Din Syamsudin, leader of the country’s second largest Muslim group, Muhammadiah. “We told him to withdraw his troops from Iraq because the occupation is only promoting more radicalism and new acts of terrorism.”
Frank says: