STATEMENT OF MALAYSIA ON THE DEBATE ON THE THREATS TO THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY CAUSED BY TERRORIST ACTS ON MAY 11, 2016.
Statement of Malaysia, May 11, 2016
Long before the Geneva Conventions existed, Prophet Muhammad and subsequent scholars instituted a just-war doctrine. Among other things, during the conduct of war, Muslims are forbidden from harming non-combatants, particularly women, children, the elderly and the sick, as well as envoys, diplomats and those praying in houses of worship. They are even prohibited from harming civilian objects, including water wells, trees, crops and livestock.
Statement of Malaysia, May 11, 2016
On a final note, I wish to stress that terrorist attacks do not discriminate among women or children; they do not discriminate between old or young; black or white; Muslims, Jews or Christians; rich or poor. All of us are potential victims of terrorism. In our response to this threat, let us not allow the terrorists to divide us. Hysterical responses to terrorism, including by discriminating against a group of people for their peaceful religious beliefs or branding an entire group of people as terrorists, will merely perpetuate terror and paranoia and further serve the terrorists’ narrative.