Yogyakarta to host terrorism seminar

Yogyakarta to host terrorism seminar

YOGYAKARTA: The Yogyakarta State Islamic University has
invited 100 scholars and religious figures from several countries
to attend a seminar next week on terrorism and the clash of
civilizations.

The director of the university's Center for Women's Studies,
Siti Ruhaini, said the seminar was aimed at changing the global
perception that Muslims condone terrorism.

"There undoubtedly has been an intensifying of opinion
associating Islam with terrorism. To make matters worse, those in
power in Muslim countries, including Indonesia, have failed to
accomplish their secular projects, prompting Muslim hard-line
groups to campaign for sharia," she said.

Figures from France, Denmark, Thailand, Malaysia and South
Africa have been invited to attend the seminar from July 26 to
July 29. Representatives of hard-line groups the Islamic
Defenders Front, the Indonesian Mujahiddin Council and Hisbut
Tahrir are also expected to speak at the seminar. -- JP