I ran into this on OCRT. The man's got guts!

PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF of Pakistan provoked the ire of Islamic fundamentalists yesterday when he berated Muslims as the “most unenlightened and the weakest of all the human race” and called for an act of collective self-criticism. He blamed the backwardness of Muslims on their involvement in “fratricidal conflicts” which, he said, was the main reason why they were perceived as terrorists. General Musharraf’s scathing comments came while his military Government is locked in a confrontation with the extremists who have vowed to bring him down.

General Musharraf said that the Islamic world was living in darkness. Muslims had been left behind the developed world because they had not invested in education and technology.

“Today we are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most unenlightened, the most deprived and the weakest of all the human race,” he told a science and technology conference on Saturday. The time had come for Islamic nations to take part in collective self-criticism. “Once such an assessment is made, it would not be difficult to realise that the entire Islamic world was far behind the developed world,” he said.

All I can say is May Allah, the merciful and compassionate, give them ears to hear and may He give the prez LOTSA protection!

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Answers

I guess I'm gonna have to comment on this thread myself. It seems to me that Musharref's comments were good advice for all to follow, regardless of whether they live in a developed country or not. A little honest self examination never hurt anyone.

As soon as that starts happening it causes me to wonder what truth does Bin Ladin for example speak? What legitimate gripes does the muslim world actually have against US foreign policy? How do we even define legitimate?

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

John, I do think he has a lot of *fashion* style, too! Seriously...his "look" is being copied by fashion designers and folks are buying clothes from Pakistan.

What an interesting world, eh?

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Most people don't take kindly to being told they're hicks and rubes (or whatever passes for hicks and rubes in their culture). I doubt insults will get him the results he would like . . . .

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Do you know if he made this statement before or after the terrorist who kidnapped Danny Pearl cut off his head?

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Julie, I suspect he made this speech before Pearl's death was confirmed.

Sheepish, I haven't seen an pics of him. Got any links to his "look"? You made me curious!

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2002

Well, we know when they RELEASED the news that Danny Pearl had been murdered, but usually they look at the tape before they decide that it's real or fake, then notify the family so they can go into hiding from the hounding of the press, and then release the news.

Which is why I'm asking if anyone knows the date on which he was beheaded. It would be interesting whether one precipitated the other or vice versa. I think that Musharref is just now realizing that he's got the tiger by the tail.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Joy, no links in particular. However, he has a natty little hat (mouton fleece?) and an interesting cape that seems to have caught the attention of designers. (It must be that ennui thing, or the search for something new...) If a look from Pakistan were to become popular, though, I'm all for it. Nothing like some trendy western thing to create some bucks for folks who need it. I don't know if folks recall, but anyone remember those cool coats from Afghanistan in the '60s? Inside-out fleeces with embroidery? I always wanted one but was too poor!

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002