Bush condemns Anti-Islam remarks
Regional-USA, Religion, 11/15/2002

American President, George W. Bush slammed anti-Islam remarks, seeking to distance himself from controversial statements made recently by conservative Christian leaders, Pat Robertson and the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

"Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans," Bush told reporters as he met with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Anan.

"Islam as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion that respects others," he added.

Though Bush never mentioned their names, his remarks came in response to recent comments by Robertson and Falwell, the Administration said.

"This is worse than the Nazis," Robertson said on Monday. "Adolf Hitler was bad, but what the Muslims want to do to the Jews is worse."

Falwell, in a recent interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," uttered libellous remarks on the Prophet Mohammed and Islam.

This slender outraged Arab and Muslim communities in the United States.

The Council of American-Islam Relations (CAIR) reacted to these "shameful" statements by calling for their condemnation by the American Administration and the Department of State.

"Such statements can only fuel tensions, leading to inter-ethnic and religion-motivated violence," said Hoda Hassan, CAIR's spokesperson.

Previous Stories:
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  Bush sends Ramadan greetings to muslims around the world   (11/6/2002)
  Washington calls on its citizens in the Middle East to be cautious   (11/5/2002)
  Powell and reforms in the Arab states   (10/30/2002)
  Al-Masri: an American plan to kneel down the region   (10/26/2002)
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