Islamabad, Pakistan - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday sought support of Islamic scholars in defeating terrorism and religious extremism as also to prevent misuse of places of worship to fan hatred.
"I hope scholars will raise their voice against terrorism and help curb extremism by checking misuse of places of worship for fanning discord and hatred," he told an Islamic scholars' conference here organised during Eid Milad-un-Nabi festival marking the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. "We have to eliminate terrorism, and all of you should support our efforts in this respect -- we have to develop tolerance and contain extremism," he said.
Referring to Sunni and Shia extremist outfits, he said sectarian organisations fanning hatred would not be allowed to operate and publication and distribution of hate material would be stopped.
It would also be ensured mosques are not used for provocation and hatred, he said adding mosques would be again converted into centres of knowledge and excellence.
He urged western countries to help resolve long- standing political disputes including Palestine and Kashmir in a just manner and address situation in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said Islam stands for tolerance, peace and harmony and modernisation but was viewed in West as a religion of militancy and extremism due to misperceptions created by certain elements.
The concept of Jihad was also being confused with militancy, suicide bombings and terrorism, he said. Islam stands for empowerment of women and minorities and is fully compatible with modernization and scientific and technological advancements, he added.