ISLAMABAD, 14 November 2006 — Leader of the Opposition and chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Fazlur Rahman has urged the government to review its policy concerning Iraq and Afghanistan and play a vigorous role in the Organization of the Islamic Conference in order to promote Muslim unity.
He said Muslims had been branded terrorists by the “biased” Western media and the situation warranted an effective response.
During an exclusive interview with Arab News, he said, “We want withdrawal of US troops not only from Iraq but also from Afghanistan.”
About the outcome of the US midterm elections, Fazlur Rahman said the people of America had rejected the policies of President Bush but unfortunately his policies were being implemented in other countries by such friends as President Musharraf and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
“We do not ask Christians and Jews to change their way of life so why should US leaders insist that Muslims become secular?” He said Muslims were peace-loving people but unfortunately they were being portrayed as militants and terrorists.
He said when US forces were bombing Afghanistan and Iraq killing hundreds of innocent people, nobody raised a voice but when the Afghans and Iraqis began resisting the US occupation they were branded as terrorists and insurgents. He said that after the change brought about by the midterm polls in US politics, allies of President Bush should also realize that the situation has changed. “It is time that they reviewed their policies,” he said.
Fazlur Rahman criticized the government’s policy, saying peace in tribal regions was the prerequisite for a durable peace in Afghanistan.
“Unfortunately international intelligence agencies have sabotaged the peace deal in Waziristan,” he said.
The JUI leader said there had been dramatic changes in international politics and that leaders needed to review both domestic and foreign policies.
He backed the idea of deploying OIC troops in Iraq after the withdrawal of US forces from the country. He said the people of Iraq should be given their right to self-determination.
The OIC forces should only serve as peacekeepers. He said he staunchly opposed the proposed division of Iraq after foreign troops had left.
