Political Quotes

“On January 12, Gen. Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan spoke to his people at a moment of great danger. Half a million Indian troops were massing on the border over the contentious issue of Kashmir, unresolved for over 50 years, and the December 13 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament. Memories were still fresh of 100,000 demonstrators in the streets after September 11, praising Osama bin Laden and burning effigies of Musharraf and President Bush. The speech was given to the nation of Pakistan, but it was followed closely by India and the West. He made the choice facing Pakistan very clear. In his words, the 'day of reckoning' had come. His nation must choose between the Kalishnikov culture of religious extremism and a progressive Islamic state. He made his case in terms far different than Western secular leaders. Speaking to his Muslim nation, he invoked the name of the Prophet Mohammad, the Koran and Islamic history and tradition. If Osama bin Laden could find justification for his hate-filled extremism in a corruption of Islamic belief, Musharraf found tolerance, universal brotherhood and peace in Islam. When we met with him 2 days later in the Presidential residence, he repeated the message in his speech that Islam teaches not only an obligation to God--Haqooq Allah--but also an obligation to others--Haqooq Al-ebad.”