Australia, Indonesia organizing conference of religious leaders

Australia, Indonesia organizing conference of religious leaders

Agence France-Presse, Sydney, Australia

Australia said on Thursday it was working with Indonesia to organize a regional conference of religious leaders to help counter extremist propaganda that the war on terror was a "clash of civilizations" between Muslims and the western world.

Warning the war on terror could last as long as the Cold War, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said moderate Muslims had an important role to play in rebutting radicals' claims they were on a religious mission.

Downer said he and his Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda were attempting to bring religious leaders together to debunk the claims made by terrorist groups.

"We're putting together a regional conference of religious leaders -- Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians -- so these people can enter into a much fuller and more productive dialog about the things they stand for," Downer said.

"I think out of that will come clear recognition that there isn't a clash of civilizations."

Downer said terrorist actions were abhorred by moderate Muslims.

"Our greatest allies will be those mainstream Muslims and moderate Muslim leaders and politicians best placed to assert orthodox values in the face of fanaticism and stare down terrorist sympathizers," he said.

Downer said there would be no early end to the terrorist threat.

"I think the war against terrorism could go on for as long as the Cold War, I don't think there's any doubt about that," Downer told ABC radio.

"What I do know is that we have to have the courage to confront these terrorists. If we don't confront these terrorists, then their ugly and immoral campaign will just continue."