Posted on 12/05/2002 3:37:52 PM PST by TLBSHOW
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - With Muslims worldwide growing more suspicious of the United States, President Bush (news - web sites) marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with a visit Thursday to a mosque.
"The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope and comfort to more than 1 billion people worldwide," Bush said. "Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility."
Bush left his shoes at the door, in keeping with the practice of the Islamic Center of Washington, a national center for Muslim culture and prayer. He also had visited six days after the terrorist attacks last year.
Back then, with a surge in hate crimes against Muslims in the United States, Bush was trying to defuse Americans' anger against Islam. Today, he has a different problem — increased hostility by Muslims around the world against America.
In an international survey released Wednesday, the Pew Global Attitudes Project found the image of the United States is slipping worldwide, and particularly in Middle Eastern countries with large Muslim populations. Large percentages of Muslim respondents in several countries said they believe suicide bomb attacks are a justifiable defense of Islam.
On Wednesday, Bush blamed America's tarnished image among Muslims on "propaganda machines (that) are cranked up in the international community that paints our country in a bad light."
The growing animosity comes at a time when Bush is trying to rally the world against terrorism and gather allies for possible military action against Iraq.
Inside the ornate mosque, Bush offered an explanation of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and renewed his defense of Islam.
Bush's speech was directed to a national and international audience. There was virtually no one inside except journalists and his staff. A few mosque officials stood next to Bush as he spoke.
"Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity," Bush said.
"Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need, charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns, and gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance," he said.
From the Muslim event, Bush officially opened the Christmas season at the White House by lighting a Christmas tree just outside the gates.
It seems that the media has an agenda in pushing Bush-supporters into bashing Muslims and attacking the President.
And yet the media, who is anti-Christian btw, easily covers Christians that speak out against abortion doctor killers. I guess it's all a conspiracy now though.
What a condescending as*****.
I have been reading Sun Tzu since I was a teenager, and nowhere in there is there anything about kissing enemy butt.
BTW, the only network I've seen cover the moderate Muslim view is FOX- and they don't do it enough.
But one might also say Catholics may already have their hands full and distracted by other more newsworthy concerns at this time.
"The alternative to saying good things about Islam for public consumption is to essentially endorse all the hatred that is being poured out against Muslims..."
Baloney. The alternative is merely to simply to convey "best wishes" on this "Ramadan Holiday." Any reference by the President to Islam "bring[ing] hope and comfort to over 1 billion people worldwide," OR "Islam affirm [ing] God's justice" is a blatant lie. Unless you happen to think otherwise...
When's he going to get a funny hat?
Actually, they're not. It's the 98% of Muslims who are not violent, who are not trying to take over the world, who are interpreting the Koran correctly. They are ignoring the part about "killing infidels" because they recognize that has nothing to do with the God they worship.
If the Muslims take over and say "Worship Allah or die", which side do you think the American Muslims will come down on? Don't fool yourself.
If foreign Muslims try to "take over" America, you can bet that there will be LOTS of American Muslims right alongside you and me, fighting for the American way of life.
I'm not fooling myself. I know several Muslim families. In fact, I've got three on my street.
How many do you know?
You bet. If the talking heads say it's the right thing to do, we better do it.
Then why don't you invite him onto one of your FR Arab love threads and just dispel that myth.
Is the Pope Catholic?
I will, and I'll bet the majority will think 9/11 was a Jewish conspiracy.
I have discovered that many moderate Muslims HAVE spoken out. However, the media has not covered it.
Which is it?
You are putting words in Powell's mouth, TLBSHOW and you know it. Show me a statement from Powell where he says the EXACT words you've given.
Then they are ignoring the Koran. Don't sound like very religious people to me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.