Malaysia information minister: "Media campaign against Islam"

Zainuddin Maidin said the international medias often spread stereotypes of Muslims as terrorists or religious extremists or even suicide bombers.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Malaysia information minister Zainuddin Maidin has accused the western media of carrying out a campaign against Islam, claiming the recent publication of Prophet Mohammed cartoons aimed to antagonise Muslims and distract them from other issues.

Mr Zainuddin, speaking in Kuala Lumpur at a seminar for journalists from Islamic countries, said the international press often misinterpreted Islamic tenets and spread stereotypes of Muslims "as terrorists or religious extremists or even suicide bombers".

"Various tactics, including deception, are used in the onslaught against Muslims to work up their emotions, because these people know full well that Muslims would respond in agitation when their religion is attacked," Mr Zainuddin said.

• Malaysia
• Islam
• information
• minister
• western
• media