Tony Blair on the problem within Islam

For broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 16 Jun 2013

Responding to the murder of British soldier Lee Rigby on a south London street three weeks ago, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has claimed that the religious ideology that inspired the horrific act is profoundly dangerous.

He’s referring to Islam.  In an opinion piece published in The Australian on Wednesday, Mr Blair pointed to religious tensions approaching flashpoint in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and across North Africa, Nigeria, Mali, Pakistan, Yemen, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and even Mindanao in the Philippines.

Mr Blair says there is not a problem with Islam, but there is a problem within Islam, and this is “not the province of a few extremists.”

All over the world, he says, “the seeds of future fanaticism and terror – possibly even major conflict – are being sown. Our task is to sow the seeds of reconciliation and peace.  But clearing the ground for peace is not always peaceful.”

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.