Islamic leaders criticized for adding 'but' to condemnations

I remember this same thing after 9/11. Arab and Muslim leaders "condemned" those attacks, often adding "but..." In that case" the but" was usually regarding American support of Israel. Now, with the 7/7 attacks, it's of course the Anglo-American action in central Asia that usually "but-ed."

Forgotten by these apologists is that the people of Iraq and Afghanistan now enjoy freedoms unparelleled anywhere else in the Muslim world.

From AP:

Islamic leaders Friday condemned the London bombings, though many said the United States and Britain, with their wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, are ultimately to blame for fueling militant violence. Increasing voices, however, say the Arab world has to stop adding ''but'' to its denunciations of terrorism.

The bombings targeted a city with enormous influence in the Arab world: London is home to some of the most widely read Arab-language newspapers and to many Arab exiles -- including Islamic fundamentalists.

It goes on..

''We are not trying to justify, only to analyze,'' wrote Abdel-Bari Atwan, who lives in London and is editor-in-chief of the Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper. ''We or any of our family members or friends could have been among the victims in London.

''But we must emphasize that the wars being waged now against Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan and Palestine are the best way to recruit more terrorists and to expand the circle of armed attacks in the entire world.''