Terrorist 'not a symbol of Islam'

Terrorist 'not a symbol of Islam'

JAKARTA: Vice President Hamzah Haz repeated his warning to the U.S. and its allies on Saturday that terrorists were not a symbol of Islam, reports said.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the West Sumatra Muhammadiyah University on Saturday, Hamzah stressed that Muslims were not "all terrorists", Antara reported.

"If it was a coincidence that a terrorist action was conducted by a Muslim, do not bring a nation, or its religion, into the matter," Hamzah told the news agency.

He also said that the U.S. must be prudent in taking its next step so it does not create further pressure or make new problems for the world.

Hamzah, however, warned Muslim groups staging anti-U.S. protests in Indonesia not to be too emotional, because the "war is against terrorism, not Islam". -- Antara