Terrorists misusing Islam, jihad, says Madni

Describing the terror attacks in Mumbai as deplorable, a prominent Muslim leader has said terrorists are using religion to justify their action with fundamentalist and extremist thoughts.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind leader Mehmood Madni, while stating that the government should see as to where it has failed in its intelligence and thoroughly probe the reason behind the attacks, said terrorists are motivated by fundamentalist thoughts instilled in them by misinterpreting religion.

"It is for the government to find out who planned these attacks and what was the reason behind them, but I would like to say terrorists use religion as a tool to justify their actions. They are motivated to commit such acts as fundamentalist and extremist thoughts which are instilled in them by misinterpreting religion," Madni told PTI in New Delhi.

"I want to put this in absolutely clear terms that Islam does not preach violence. In fact, the so called jihad that terror groups talk about, is not what they think it is. Real jihad in fact means fighting the perpetrators of terror," the cleric said.

Madni added that the Jamiat is planning to organise a conference to discuss the various aspects of terrorism and ways to stop it, in Mumbai next month. "We have not decided upon the date but will definitely hold the conference in Mumbai next month," Madni said.

Earlier this month on November 9 during its 29th general session held in Hyderabad, the Jamiat had given a call to oppose all sorts of terrorist activities in the country.

Along with other Muslim bodies, it had also issued a fatwa against terrorism in May this year at a rally held here, which was attended by more than three lakh Muslims.