flaja: from the New York Times article you linked to -
Quote:
The protests, in at least four cities, remained relatively small, but radical Muslim groups said they were preparing larger demonstrations and repeated their warnings that they might attack foreigners here.
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Quote:
Indonesia is a largely moderate Muslim country and President Megawati Sukarnoputri has announced her qualified support for the United States in its campaign against terrorism in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington. But the anger of the fringe groups that are holding demonstrations reflects a broad resentment of the United States and opposition to its bombing of Afghanistan.
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So far violent opposition to America is comparitively small. Beyond the hardline moslem fringe, anger at America is felt by ordinary people, because of America's actions not because those ordinary people are moslem. The same can be said of Britain, where there have been noisy demonstrations accompanying every visit by Bush. The demonstrations over here have involved a handful of extremists but mainly it's been ordinary people, many non-moslems, protesting America's foreign policy.
Do you really believe Moslems hate America, because they are moslem? Do you really believe all moslems are anti-jewish, because they are moslem? You are generalising about a huge percentage of the global population. Not only that you are over-simplifying the reasons why someone might hold those views. America is active in the world, and as such her actions have effects and consequences. Israel's actions also have an effect on the world and the way in which she is viewed by some.
Just to underline the point, here is a quote from the bottom of the article:
Quote:
Christina Widyaningsih, 24, a university student who is a Christian, said: ''I don't really understand the Islamic movement, but I can definitely sympathize with their restlessness, their feeling that they have to do something. Yes, innocent lives were lost in the attack on the World Trade Center. But do the Americans really think their retaliation will solve the problem? I think resentment toward the United States and its Western allies will only grow.''
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