Arab News Staff Writer

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, 24 September 2003 — Muslim representatives at a gathering of religious leaders yesterday sought to dispel the view that Islam provides a breeding ground for terrorists, arguing the religion promotes tolerance and non-violence.

“Islam prohibits the killing of innocent people and says that it is tantamount to killing the whole of mankind,” said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd in a message to the gathering.

King Fahd reiterated Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of terrorism. “Terrorism has no nation or nationality. It does not belong to any particular culture or civilization,” he said. King Fahd’s message was read out by Justice Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Asheikh at the opening of a congress here.

“The conference comes at a time when all nations are looking for a world free of war, conflicts, hatred and bias, and for cooperation to solve their problems and establish peace and security,” the king said.

He said dialogue was the best means to achieve cooperation and peace and avoid conflict.

The Saudi leader said the Kingdom was determined to go ahead with its war on terrorism. “We have challenged the terrorists, besieged them and destroyed their bases... We will root out them from the country,” the king said. “The Qur’an does not encourage violence and persecution, it says that all people were created to understand each other,” said Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary general of the Makkah-based Muslim World League.

“The tolerant position of Islam toward people of all religions strongly excludes and denounces all forms of violence, terrorism, or human rights violations,” said Egypt’s Minister of Endowments Mahmoud Hamdi Zaqzouk.

The two-day conference is attended by delegates from 17 faiths and denominations in the capital of Kazakhstan. Islam and its perception in the West following the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States was a persistent theme at the talks.

“Terrorism isn’t attributable to any concrete religion, it is a crime against humanity which violates the principles of humanity. Our country condemned the Sept. 11 attacks and joined in efforts to ensure peace and security,” Al-Asheikh said.

Participants included delegates from the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches.