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Bush Marks End of Ramadan, Visits Mosque (Islam brings hope and comfort)
ap ^ | 12/5/2002 | SCOTT LINDLAW

Posted on 12/05/2002 3:37:52 PM PST by TLBSHOW

By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - With Muslims worldwide growing more suspicious of the United States, President Bush (news - web sites) marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with a visit Thursday to a mosque.

"The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope and comfort to more than 1 billion people worldwide," Bush said. "Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility."

Bush left his shoes at the door, in keeping with the practice of the Islamic Center of Washington, a national center for Muslim culture and prayer. He also had visited six days after the terrorist attacks last year.

Back then, with a surge in hate crimes against Muslims in the United States, Bush was trying to defuse Americans' anger against Islam. Today, he has a different problem — increased hostility by Muslims around the world against America.

In an international survey released Wednesday, the Pew Global Attitudes Project found the image of the United States is slipping worldwide, and particularly in Middle Eastern countries with large Muslim populations. Large percentages of Muslim respondents in several countries said they believe suicide bomb attacks are a justifiable defense of Islam.

On Wednesday, Bush blamed America's tarnished image among Muslims on "propaganda machines (that) are cranked up in the international community that paints our country in a bad light."

The growing animosity comes at a time when Bush is trying to rally the world against terrorism and gather allies for possible military action against Iraq.

Inside the ornate mosque, Bush offered an explanation of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and renewed his defense of Islam.

Bush's speech was directed to a national and international audience. There was virtually no one inside except journalists and his staff. A few mosque officials stood next to Bush as he spoke.

"Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity," Bush said.

"Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need, charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns, and gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance," he said.

From the Muslim event, Bush officially opened the Christmas season at the White House by lighting a Christmas tree just outside the gates.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush; islam; muslims; terrorist
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To: Miss Marple
I have discovered that many moderate Muslims HAVE spoken out. However, the media has not covered it.

It seems that the media has an agenda in pushing Bush-supporters into bashing Muslims and attacking the President.

And yet the media, who is anti-Christian btw, easily covers Christians that speak out against abortion doctor killers. I guess it's all a conspiracy now though.

61 posted on 12/05/2002 4:44:31 PM PST by Sir Gawain
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To: Sir Gawain
Islam is a religion. Radical Islam is for murderers. Every religion has those that have killed in the name of it. The fact is that there are 1 billion Muslims in the world, and the only way we can stop radicalism is to win the moderates to our side.
I think what Bush did is absolutely the right thing. Muslim Americans are Americans. I am Catholic, but still believe they are our brothers and sisters and should be embraced as such.
We also need to help promote Muslim democracies, such as getting Turkey into that snob club known as the EU and free the Iraqi people after eliminating Saddam. I support nearly every decision Bush has made in his battle versus terrorism.

Deuce Traveler
62 posted on 12/05/2002 4:44:32 PM PST by DeuceTraveler
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To: Leto
Go get a copy of the Art od War by Sun Tzu and read it, you might learn something.

What a condescending as*****.

I have been reading Sun Tzu since I was a teenager, and nowhere in there is there anything about kissing enemy butt.

63 posted on 12/05/2002 4:44:35 PM PST by Publius6961
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To: Sir Gawain; Miss Marple
I have seen moderate Muslims discredit and condemn the radicals both locally and nationally. The problem is, the media doesn't cover it because it would mean once again, President Bush would be right. Honestly, why would they cover it? I suspect that even if every moderate Muslims condemned the radicals, it wouldn't be enough.

BTW, the only network I've seen cover the moderate Muslim view is FOX- and they don't do it enough.

64 posted on 12/05/2002 4:44:50 PM PST by rintense
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To: Publius6961
I would be impressed instead of depressed if instead of continuing this charade, Bush attended a Christian service in Saudi Arabia.

Televise the Christian church and everything.

Fat chance of that don't you think! But it would be a start!

Christians are hateful and bigots says Powell.
65 posted on 12/05/2002 4:45:47 PM PST by TLBSHOW
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To: sinkspur
"All the hysteria being poured out by evangelicals and folks on this website are exactly why it is a good thing he is saying it."

But one might also say Catholics may already have their hands full and distracted by other more newsworthy concerns at this time.

"The alternative to saying good things about Islam for public consumption is to essentially endorse all the hatred that is being poured out against Muslims..."

Baloney. The alternative is merely to simply to convey "best wishes" on this "Ramadan Holiday." Any reference by the President to Islam "bring[ing] hope and comfort to over 1 billion people worldwide," OR "Islam affirm [ing] God's justice" is a blatant lie. Unless you happen to think otherwise...

66 posted on 12/05/2002 4:46:17 PM PST by F16Fighter
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To: swarthyguy
"Look Ma, no shoes!"

When's he going to get a funny hat?

67 posted on 12/05/2002 4:46:38 PM PST by spunkets
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To: Sir Gawain
You don't seem to understand that the Wahabis are the ones correctly interpreting the Koran.

Actually, they're not. It's the 98% of Muslims who are not violent, who are not trying to take over the world, who are interpreting the Koran correctly. They are ignoring the part about "killing infidels" because they recognize that has nothing to do with the God they worship.

If the Muslims take over and say "Worship Allah or die", which side do you think the American Muslims will come down on? Don't fool yourself.

If foreign Muslims try to "take over" America, you can bet that there will be LOTS of American Muslims right alongside you and me, fighting for the American way of life.

I'm not fooling myself. I know several Muslim families. In fact, I've got three on my street.

How many do you know?

68 posted on 12/05/2002 4:47:26 PM PST by sinkspur
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To: Miss Marple
All members of the panel on Fox News tonight, including Brit Hume and Fred Barnes, said that this was the correct thing to do.

You bet. If the talking heads say it's the right thing to do, we better do it.

69 posted on 12/05/2002 4:47:59 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf
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To: TLBSHOW

Then why don't you invite him onto one of your FR Arab love threads and just dispel that myth.

70 posted on 12/05/2002 4:48:22 PM PST by Jhoffa_
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To: Sir Gawain
"Is Bush lying?"

Is the Pope Catholic?

71 posted on 12/05/2002 4:48:24 PM PST by F16Fighter
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To: Sir Gawain
It isn't a conspiracy. The media and news stopped being objective years ago. To expect anything more is foolish. If you want a conspiracy, I'll give ya one to chew on. I think the majority of the big media (liberal) outlets would rather demonize ANY religion- including Christianity, than to show any positives to any faith.
72 posted on 12/05/2002 4:49:18 PM PST by rintense
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To: TLBSHOW
This article is posted under humor, isn't it?
73 posted on 12/05/2002 4:49:22 PM PST by Libertina
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To: TLBSHOW
I'm not going to even attempt compare the difference and similarities between religions, as the same could have been said about the christians during the dark ages.

The key idea is that in a world of religion, the country guided by reason is strongest. Whether or not that country is predominantly christian is irrelevant.
74 posted on 12/05/2002 4:50:09 PM PST by anobjectivist
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To: sinkspur
Talk to a few random Muslims you meet.

I will, and I'll bet the majority will think 9/11 was a Jewish conspiracy.

75 posted on 12/05/2002 4:50:20 PM PST by Sir Gawain
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To: Miss Marple
All members of the panel on Fox News tonight, including Brit Hume and Fred Barnes, said that this was the correct thing to do.

I have discovered that many moderate Muslims HAVE spoken out. However, the media has not covered it.

Which is it?

76 posted on 12/05/2002 4:50:47 PM PST by Joe Hadenuf
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To: TLBSHOW
Christians are hateful and bigots says Powell.

You are putting words in Powell's mouth, TLBSHOW and you know it. Show me a statement from Powell where he says the EXACT words you've given.

77 posted on 12/05/2002 4:51:31 PM PST by rintense
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To: All
Any of those IMAMS show up at the XMas tree lighting ceremony?

Yeah, right!
78 posted on 12/05/2002 4:51:51 PM PST by swarthyguy
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To: sinkspur
They are ignoring the part about "killing infidels" because they recognize that has nothing to do with the God they worship.

Then they are ignoring the Koran. Don't sound like very religious people to me.

79 posted on 12/05/2002 4:51:56 PM PST by Sir Gawain
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To: Miss Marple
Great Thought's Miss. M

You are DEAD ON !
80 posted on 12/05/2002 4:53:05 PM PST by cmsgop
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