Muslims told to curb radicalism

JAKARTA: Noted Muslim cleric Azyumardi Azra urged moderate Muslims to play a role in helping prevent radicalism spreading further in the country.

Speaking at the media center set up to provide information on the Australian Embassy bombing, Azyumardi also urged moderate Muslims to spread the true meaning of jihad, as some people had mistakenly used it as a pretext for terrorism.

"I urge all Muslim clerics to keep Islam free of radicalism as there are injunctions contained in the holy Koran telling us that we have to treat non-Muslims with respect," Azyumardi said.

He underlined the important role of clerics in educating people about the peaceful nature of Islam. --Antara