Musharraf urges U.S. to eliminate anti-Islamic bias

9/21/2004 8:25:00 AM GMT

Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf urged the United States Monday to help eliminate the negative Western perceptions about Muslims by resolving the global political disputes, especially in the Middle East.

President Musharraf was speaking at a dinner hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in New York.

“Muslims today are feeling as if Islam as a religion is being targeted. This needs to be undone,” Musharraf said.

He added that the United States could gain the confidence of Muslims only by resolving the many international conflicts that affect Muslims all over the world.

“I think the United States has to concentrate on the resolution of political disputes throughout the world,” he said.

President Musharraf also spoke about the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, saying that it is a key issue to ensuring global stability.

He also called upon the U.S. to help in eliminating poverty and illiteracy, which he described as issues that “form the core of causes of terrorism.”

Musharraf is expected to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush in New York on Wednesday, and he is also scheduled to hold peace talks with Indian Premier Manmohan Singh, which will focus on Kashmir.