“MY name is Ahmad, but I am not a terrorist.”
Such were the words of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who expressed hopes that the United States’ diplomatic mission to Malaysia will help correct the misperception that those with Muslim names are likely to be terrorists.
“My parents had chosen Ahmad before Zahid as my name. I think this is a problem of interpretation. We appreciate that the US government has addressed this issue and its policy is loud and clear,” he said.
“I believe the United States ambassador to Malaysia, Brian McFeeters, will address this adverse perception. I believe this will be resolved in due course.”
Zahid was asked about a report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which revealed that more than 98% of entries on an FBI watch list are Muslim names.
Zahid said this after launching the 23rd Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Association (FBINAA) Asia Pacific Retaining Conference today (June 26).
According to the UMNO president, the report entitled “Twenty Years Too Many, A Call to Stop the FBI’s Secret Watchlist” which detailed the US enforcement agency’s alleged use of a Terrorism Screening Database targeting Muslims was actually misinterpreted by certain parties.
He explained that the US policy on that matter is clear because it has absolutely nothing to do with sentiment or prejudice against a race or religion.
Also present during the event was inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, International FBINAA president Tim Braniff, FBI International Operations Division Assistant Director Raymond P. Duda, United States Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters and Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor.
Zahid was also questioned regarding the whereabouts of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.
“We will discuss that at another place,” he said. – June 26, 2023
Main pic credit: Zahid Hamidi/Facebook
