Deoband Denounces Terrorism

Deoband (UP): Denouncing terrorism in all its manifestations, top Muslim groups in India on Monday adopted a declaration calling it "un-Islamic" and terming it against the Islamic principle of "peace".

The declaration adopted by the organisations at a meeting in Deoband on Monday, however, also criticised attempts to malign Muslims and madrassas.

The Anti-terrorism Conference organised by Islamic Seminary Darul Uloom in Uttar Pradesh's Deoband town was attended by clerics, scholars and religious leaders from several sects and groups across the country.

"Islam is a religion of mercy for all humanity. Islam sternly condemns all kinds of oppression, violence and terrorism. It has regarded oppression, mischief, rioting and murder among severest sins and crimes," said the declaration, adopted by over 10,000 participants.

"Islam prohibits killing of innocent people," it said.

The conference, however, expressed its deep concern and agony on the present global condition in which most of the nations are adopting an adverse attitude towards Muslims.

"It is a matter of greater concern that the internal and external policies of a country are getting heavily influenced by these forces," it said.

The gathering also condemned attempts to implicate Muslims and particularly religious institutions for terrorist acts.

"The disease (terrorism) has been diagnosed in a wrong way. Whenever there is any incident of terrorism, every possible attempt is made to link it to Muslims and particularly who have studied in madrassas and some religious institutions. This is totally wrong," said Adil Siddiqui, Public Relations Officer of Darul Uloom.