Use of force not religion at root of conflicts - Malaysian PM

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 28 (KUNA) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Friday told the UN General Assembly that the use of force, and not religious difference, lies at the root of conflicts between Islamic and Western countries, emphasizing that all religions advocate peace.
"This is certainly the case with Islam, which teaches its believers to practice tolerance, forgiveness, peace, fraternity and coexistence," he said.
The real cause of conflicts between Islamic and Western countries, he explained, "is the repeated use of force by the powerful over the weak to secure strategic or territorial gains." Voicing support for efforts to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue, he said these initiatives can help to "establish the truth that Islam is a religion which espouses universalism, not exclusivity; tolerance, not bigotry." Malaysia, he said, has adopted a successful approach called "Islam Hadhari, " whereby the Government "uses the progressive teachings of Islam as the basis for good governance to deliver benefits to all sectors of its multi-ethnic and multi-religious society without discrimination." (end) sj.bs KUNA 290050 Sep 07NNNN