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| Saturday, 21 February 2004 |
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Stop spreading hate material, Musharraf warns extremists ISLAMABAD, Friday (AFP) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has warned religious extremists to stop spreading hate material or face a crackdown, state media reported Friday. Musharraf's comments came during a meeting with religious leaders Thursday ahead of the Muslim holy month of Muharram, a national television report said. Pakistan would continue to fight extremism and terrorism and deal strictly with anyone found trying to fan sectarian hatred through posters and publications, he said. Musharraf said such actions ran counter to Pakistan's interests and the spirit of Islam, which called for unity, love, tolerance, moderation and brotherhood. He also urged religious leaders to encourage sectarian harmony during Muharram, which is likely to start this weekend, subject to the appearance of the moon. Religious scholars suggested the formation of a central body to create national cohesion, sectarian harmony and brotherhood. Thousands have died in more than a decade of violence between Shiite and Sunni extremists in Pakistan. The MP and chief of the outlawed Sunni Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan group, Azam Tariq, was assassinated in Islamabad in October. At a conference Wednesday Musharraf urged clerics and Islamic scholars to launch a movement to rid the country of sectarian conflict. |
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