Asian warnings over Ramadan

Now anti-US protests have spread to Thailand

Islamic community leaders and politicians around Asia are warning that Muslims in the region could become more hostile if US airstrikes continue into the Ramadan fasting month, due to begin in mid-November.

In Thailand, the secretary-general of the Council of Muslim organisations, Niti Hasan, said moderate Muslims could be driven into protest action if the strikes carry on into Ramadan.

Ramadan

Marks the month the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have had the holy book, the Koran, revealed to him by God

Muslims are instructed to fast, not drink or smoke or have sexual relations during daylight hours

The fast lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the first moon of Ramadan is sighted, and will end with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr

About 30,000 Thais rallied in the Muslim-dominated south of the country on Sunday, protesting against the US-led strikes.

In Malaysia, the main opposition party, Parti Islam se-Malaysia (Pas), has vowed to organise further rallies if the attacks take place during the holiest month in the Muslim calendar.

The Malaysian Prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has also warned of adverse reactions among Muslims.

'Diplomatic' path

On Sunday, the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hasan Wirayuda, said staging attacks during Ramadan would lead to an explosive situation.

Malaysian PM Mahathir repeated his opposition at Apec summit

However, he said US Secretary of State Colin Powell had told him that military action was only a small part of the means to solve the conflict in Afghanistan.

He said: "I see signs that a solution for the situation in Afghanistan is shifting to political and diplomatic means."

Indonesian Vice President Hamzah Haz on Monday repeated calls for an end to anti-US protests, warning of an economic crisis if foreign investors were scared away.

Potential violence

In the Philippines, a Muslim anti-war group, Maradeka, warned the Ramadan period would see an outpouring of sentiment.

Bombing during Ramadan could hand Osama Bin Laden a propaganda victory

Maradeka secretary general Nash Pangadapun said: "We will see more protest action and could even see violent attacks throughout the Muslim world... I hope here in the Philippines it will not lead to that."

Ramadan, which starts on or around 15 November, is the month-long period of fasting for Muslims around the world.

Like the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca, Ramadan consolidates the sense of identity among the world's estimated one billion Muslims.

The US has said its objectives in Afghanistan will not be swayed by Ramadan but as it, and winter, approaches, Western leaders have stressed the need for speedy action to bring the military campaign to a conclusion.