The people of the United States (US) are considered to need to understand Islam better in order to stop Islamophobia (fear of Islam for no apparent reason, ed) which is getting stronger. This was conveyed by the Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, at an event in New York, USA.
According to Najib, there appears to be a negative perception of Islam and Malaysia is ready to work with the US to counter this.
To journalists as reported by the Malaysian daily, The Star, Saturday (25/9/2010), Najib said the issue was discussed in talks between ASEAN leaders and US President Barack Obama in New York, USA.
Najib emphasized that the American people need to have a better knowledge and understanding of Islam.
Islamophobia in America has been strengthened by a series of criminal cases based on hate against Islam (hate crimes), like burning Al-Quran, attacks on mosques, and threats against Islamic institutions. The rejection of some New Yorkers on the plan to build a mosque near Ground Zero is based on their misunderstanding of Islam. (Mel / ddongkong.org). *
