Nathan Valentine's column on Monday criticized the Muslim world. His lack of solid sources and extreme exaggerations created the same mistake as those he criticized. He does exactly what he claimed Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, prime minister of Malaysia, did. Valentine asserts the outrageous accusation that the Muslim world believes in the "Worldwide Jewish Conspiracy."

I'm not jumping to defense merely because I'm Muslim, but because the column has no clear basis for the attacks. I searched many news sources to find what happened at the Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference. What I found was a lot of crucial information was left out. The burning question on my mind is why Valentine lied and embellished parts of Mahathir's speech? It is one thing to be satirical, but to attribute inaccurate, inflammatory statements to someone is wrong.

I do not side with any of the politicians who claim to be "representing" Islam, but I still think, as a journalist, that each side deserves to be heard. The New Straits Times interviewed Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, who had attended the conference. Musharraf said Mahathir never called on the Muslims to wage war against any race or country.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher said Mahathir's remarks had been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. Maher also said, "Those who are commenting on the speech have not read it."

Palestinian Foreign Minister Farouk Kaddoumi pointed out anyone will be labeled anti-Semitic merely for speaking up against the Israeli aggression.

"He (Dr. Mahathir) spoke the truth, but Israel and their sympathizers tend to regard any statement against them as anti-Semitic. They accuse us while they occupy our country, kill our people and claim that we are terrorists. It is Israel which actually practices State terrorism," Kaddoumi said.

Asked by The Associated Press whether he thought the speech was anti-Semitic, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said: "I don't think so. Dr. Mahathir spoke of the inhibitions within the Islamic world and that those inhibitions must go away, and I entirely agree with that."

Reuters reported that Malaysian officials also said Mahathir's remark was taken out of context and "the main thrust of his speech was that the Arabs should stop fighting a losing battle and sue for peace."

Whether Valentine realized it, his article reflected a major stereotype about the Muslim world and merely reinforced his own opinions.

What the Israeli government claims is "anti-Semitic" is really criticism of the occupation. And when the opposition exposes the inhuman reality of that occupation, they are shut down.

Japan Today quoted Mahathir saying that the Muslim world "needed to give up violence in favor of using greater unity and improved education to defend their interests peacefully." Maybe that part of his message could get more exposure in the United States for a change.

Many countries in the Muslim world are starting to realize that Israel has been especially smart in its public relations efforts. The government and its Sharonista supporters work night and day on an international public relations campaign and have attracted many people to Israel's "righteousness." There is no denying this. The Arab and Muslim world has been slower to see the importance of shopping its cause.

I do not support Mahathir, but I support the truth. Mahathir may have made a few comments out of line — but let those exact statements be printed — not made-up summaries that greatly exaggerate the situation.

Both Mahathir and Valentine make the mistake of conflating Jewishness with Israeli governmental policy.

Mariam Sobh is a graduate student in journalism. Her columns appear Thursdays. She can be reached at opinions@dailyillini.com