About 100 activists today protested outside the US embassy in Kuala
Lumpur against the coming visit by President Barack Obama, denouncing
him as an enemy of Islam.
The demonstration underscored the delicate nature of Obama's trip to
Malaysia, which will make him the first sitting US president to visit in
nearly half a century, a period marked by mutual distrust.
The protesters marched to the embassy from a nearby mosque after Friday
prayers, shouting "God is great" and "Obama is the enemy of the Prophet
Muhammad".
They also bore placards and banners saying: "US is axis of evil" and
handed out leaflets saying "Reject Obama, World's No. 1 Terrorist". They dispersed after about 15 minutes.
Malaysia has opposed US wars in the Middle East and supports the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Obama embarks on a week-long Asia tour next week that will bring him to Malaysia from April 26 to 28.
The last US president to visit was Lyndon Johnson in 1966.
US-Malaysia relations have been marked by rancour in recent decades,
particularly during the tenure of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir
Mohamad from 1981-2003, who was harshly critical of US policy around the
world.
Current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has taken a more friendly
tone toward the West, but he is restrained by conservative elements in
the Muslim-dominated government.
Obama will also visit South Korea, Japan and the Philippines at a time
of unease around the region over China's rise.
Source: AFP
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