Muhammadiyah against 'sweeping'

Muhammadiyah against 'sweeping'

JAKARTA: The Muhammadiyah Muslim organization's executive
board urged Indonesian Muslims on Wednesday to disregard calls to
conduct "sweeps" against foreigners, mainly U.S. citizens.

A statement issued by the Preaching and Propagation Council of
the Muhammadiyah executive board said that Muslims should not
fight violence with violence because Islam is a religion of
peace.

"Now, U.S. President George W. Bush has changed his policy
from a direct attack on Afghanistan to an indirect one. Moreover,
not all U.S. citizens support the planned attack as many of them
reject the idea of the U.S. becoming involved in a war in
Afghanistan," chairman of the Muhammadiyah's Preaching and
Propagation Council, Tabrani Syabirin, said as quoted by Antara.

He regretted the actions of some people in western countries
who had set fire to houses of worship immediately after the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks on the U.S., while there was as yet no
evidence as to who was responsible. -- Antara