Bangladesh welcomes a proposal by Singapore to form a regional committee promoting Islam as a moderate religion that shuns violence and terrorism, a senior Bangladeshi diplomat said Thursday.
Visiting Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong proposed the grouping during talks Thursday with Khaleda Zia, his Bangladeshi counterpart, Foreign Secretary Shamser Mobin Chowdhury told reporters.
Goh proposed forming an eight-member steering committee, including four members from Asia and four from Arab countries, to spread the true message of Islam and dispel misconceptions about the religion, particularly in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States.
Bangladesh welcomes the idea and wants to be included in the committee, Chowdhury said.
"It's a noble initiative from a non-Muslim country. It's important to convey the message throughout the world that Is-lam does not identify with terrorism," he said.
The committee could be formed as early as the end of this year, Chowdhury said.
Goh said he had discussed the proposal with other countries, but did not name them, Chowdhury added.
At Thursday's talks, the two prime ministers also agreed to cooperate more in the global fight against terrorism, and they discussed regional and international issues, including security matters.
"They underscored methods to combat terrorism through a more enlightened approach - not military options alone, but through cultural and political means as well," Chowdhury said.