Daniel Pearl's father urges 'public outcry'

By Nguyen Huy Vu
Seattle Times staff reporter

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He called for a "public outcry" against militants who kill in the name of God.

"It is not enough to say it is not compatible with the Quran," said Judea Pearl, a University of California, Los Angeles, computer-science professor. "Let us come to our senses."

Pearl was keynote speaker at an awards ceremony in Benaroya Hall to recognize 19 outstanding Seattle-area high-school students and one Israeli student. The American Jewish Committee hosted the event.

Much of Pearl's 30-minute speech was about his son, The Wall Street Journal's South Asia bureau chief, who was abducted Jan. 23, 2002, while working on a story about Islamic militants in Karachi, Pakistan.

Investigators obtained videotapes apparently showing Daniel Pearl being killed. His body was found in May 2002.

"He loved all human beings of all ... nationalities," Judea Pearl said, "and he believed people can change their minds and hearts."

"I am proud that Americans have reacted to the abuses with such outrage," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Nguyen Huy Vu: 206-464-3292 or vnguyen2@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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