Saturday, October 28, 2006

PAKISTAN: PRINCE CHARLES TO CALL FOR MOSLEM MODERATION

Charles to call for Muslim moderation on visit to radical areas of Pakistan
By Roya Nikkhah, Massoud Ansari and Loveday Morris

The Prince of Wales is to call for more moderation from Muslims when he visits one of the most radical areas of Pakistan next week.

In what will be seen as a highly controversial move in a country where Islamic fundamentalism is rife, Prince Charles will break with protocol during his visit and venture into some of the country's most politically sensitive areas, including those where Osama bin Laden is thought to be hiding.

The prince and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit regions known for their ultra-conservative approach to Islam, including the strongly pro-Taliban territory in the north-west of the country where images of women and the playing of music are banned.


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During their six-day tour, the prince will deliver several public speeches, in which he will encourage religious leaders to adopt a policy of "enlightened moderation" – the more liberal approach to Islam controversially favoured by Gen Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president. Pakistan is still widely believed to be the hiding place of Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader.

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"The prince will be addressing the issues of moderation and understanding in Islam and all faiths, particularly in an important visit to one area which is renowned for its conservative approach," a senior aide to Prince Charles said.

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"The president has spoken of the need for 'enlightened moderation' in Pakistan and there will be echoes of that in what the prince says.

"He has established a strong reputation within Muslim countries and is therefore uniquely positioned, more so than a politician, to say these things and, hopefully, to command respect from his audience."

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Human rights organisations have also claimed that Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws – where those found guilty of desecrating the Koran face life imprisonment – are used to target the Christian community, with accusations often made to settle personal feuds.

"The subject has been drawn to his attention and is something that interests him as a committed Anglican," said a senior aide. "Local sensitivities must be understood and respected, but the prince will not ignore the issue."

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"The prince is keen to emphasise that educating people in the right way, focusing on openness, is the key to better relations and peace between different faiths," said the royal aide.

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A spokesman for Clarence House said that the prince would pursue a policy of "soft diplomacy" in his meeting with Gen Musharraf. "We never preview what discussions will be about," he said.

The visit to Pakistan will be the third official overseas trip by the prince and the duchess since their marriage in April last year.

Is Prince Charles' keen interest in Islam, etc. the result of a possible conversion (actually reversion if you believe what moslems say about everyone actually being a moslem that have gone astray and when they convert to islam they actually revert to their original state - - - slaves of allah) to Islam?!?



Pertinent Links:

1) Charles to call for Muslim moderation on visit to radical areas of Pakistan

2) First post concerning this visit & Prince Charles of Arabia

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