RESOLVING ISLAMOPHOBIA THROUGH DISCOURSES PRODUCES LIMITED RESULTS - FM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The effectiveness of resolving
Islamophobia
through information programmes and forums is rather restricted as anti-Islam
proponents continue to blame Muslims for violence.

Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said the discourses could hardly change the
views and understanding that violence perpetrated by militant groups could not
be suppressed.

"In Malaysia, law enforcement and the readiness to tackle violence through
preventive measures must continue," he said when responding to a question at the
Lower House of Parliament Thursday.

A Member of Parliament wanted to know how Malaysia could change an
irrational fear or prejudice towards Islam and Muslims (Islamophobia) as
perpetrators of violence, and ways to tackle them.

Rais said Islamic and non-Islamic countries, institutions, research bodies
and media had to campaign against the use of violence to resolve
conflicts.

"It is difficult to deface the image of violence on Islam and Muslims by a
single method," he said.

At a news conference at the Parliament lobby later, he described claims of
Malaysia's involvement in the Mumbai carnage as an emotional outburst as a
result of allegations by several non-governmental organisations in India.

"The evidence brought up in Mumbai must be based on procedures and legal
facts.

"If you have the evidence, prove it through the system and not through
emotions and by making wild allegations," he said, adding that investigations
conducted under the international and the Indian Evidence Act showed that
Malaysia was not involved in the terror attack.

Earlier, responding to a supplementary question, Rais said probes by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation and Scotland Yard had not uncovered any links to
Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA