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