October 17, 2003
STUCK IN REVERSE:
Mahathir vs Jews: Another step back (Phar Kim Beng, 10/18/03, Asia Times)
[W]hat made Mahathir's statement highly inappropriate was the fact that it was made in a setting where the OIC had convened to understand ways to "improve the knowledge and morality" of the Muslim world.The sort of generalizations indulged in by Mahathir, backed as they were by anecdotes rather than empirical facts, simply underlines the perception that the Muslim world has failed to move into the age of science, reason and rationality. For one of the greatest Muslim leaders in the contemporary world, himself a scientist, doctor and trained pilot, to lend credence to this view by wantonly attacking Jews is unfortunate in the extreme.
In attacking the Jews so callously, Mahathir not only failed himself, but also the wider Muslim world that he represents. As for those who applauded when Mahathir made the statement, the same verdict applies.
Mr. Putin and Ms Macapagal-Arroyo, at least, should have walked out. Posted by Orrin Judd at October 17, 2003 10:57 AM
Hm. I thought the content of Mahair's statement made it highly inappropriate.
Posted by: Rick T. at October 17, 2003 2:53 PMIt didn't underline the perception that Islam has failed to decide to live in the modern world with non-Muslims. It ratified it.
Posted by: Harry Eagar at October 17, 2003 3:34 PM