Monday, August 14, 2006
Saudis: Don't Call Muslims 'Fascists'
Saudi Arabia on Monday rejected linking Muslims with fascism, days after U.S. President George W. Bush spoke of a "war with Islamic fascists".
"(Saudi Arabia) warns of accusing Muslims of terrorism and fascism without considering the history of the pure Islamic civilization," the cabinet of the major U.S. ally said in a statement after a meeting chaired by King Abdullah.
Bush said last week the news of a failed plot to blow up U.S.-bound passenger planes was "a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation".
The Saudi cabinet statement said: "What Islam is being charged with today, such as fascism, is primarily the result of Western cultural heritage.
"Terrorism has no religion and no nationality," said the statement, carried by state media. It made no direct reference to Bush or to the United States.
U.S. officials have said the plot, thwarted by Britain, to blow up several aircraft over the Atlantic bore many of the hallmarks of al-Qaida.
Bush and other administration officials have used variations of the term "Islamo-fascism" on several occasions in the past to describe militant groups including al-Qaida, its allies in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia on Monday rejected linking Muslims with fascism, days after U.S. President George W. Bush spoke of a "war with Islamic fascists".
"(Saudi Arabia) warns of accusing Muslims of terrorism and fascism without considering the history of the pure Islamic civilization," the cabinet of the major U.S. ally said in a statement after a meeting chaired by King Abdullah.
Bush said last week the news of a failed plot to blow up U.S.-bound passenger planes was "a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation".
The Saudi cabinet statement said: "What Islam is being charged with today, such as fascism, is primarily the result of Western cultural heritage.
"Terrorism has no religion and no nationality," said the statement, carried by state media. It made no direct reference to Bush or to the United States.
U.S. officials have said the plot, thwarted by Britain, to blow up several aircraft over the Atlantic bore many of the hallmarks of al-Qaida.
Bush and other administration officials have used variations of the term "Islamo-fascism" on several occasions in the past to describe militant groups including al-Qaida, its allies in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
