Indian Muslim Scholars Condemn Terror, Labeling

LUCKNOW, India — Thousands of scholars, managers and teachers of madrasahs from across India met on Monday, February 25, at the famed Darul-Uloom seminary to condemn terrorism as well as attempts to associate Islam with violence.

"Islam is a religion of mercy for all humanity. Islam sternly condemns all kinds of oppression, violence and terrorism," the scholars said in a final declaration cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Any action that targets innocents, whether by an individual or by any government and its agencies or by a private organization anywhere in the world constitutes, according to Islam, an act of terrorism."

Established in 1866 in northern India , Darul-Uloom Deoband is the most influential Islamic school in Asia .

Representatives of many different Muslim schools of thought and Muslim organizations attended the conference.

Representatives and scholars of Baraelwi, Ahl-e-Hadith, Jama'at-e-Islami and Shiite schools of thought attended.

The heads and representatives of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (Salim Qasmi) and Milli Council also participated.