Islamic pilgrims debate forgiveness for militants

HAJJ Muslims say they embrace the concept of forgiveness but have a hard time forgiving those who have tarnished the reputation of their religion

AP , MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA

Usama Mustafa, an American of Lebanese origin, praised militants who repented, but accused the US and Arab regimes of "pushing the militants to the extreme" -- America through its perceived bias toward Israel, and Arab governments by oppressing their own citizens.

"What do they expect from these people? That they smile back at them? The injustice is so clear," said the hospital administrator from Alexandria, Virginia.

"We cannot blame them [militants] too much, and we cannot defend them too much," he said.