ISIS, al-Qaeda using religion as per convenience: Naqvi

Khambhat: Terror groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda have no relation with any religion and merely define it as per their convenience, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Sunday.

Naqvi stressed that the role of society is more important role than that of the government to meet challenges posed by terrorism.

"We should understand that terrorism and terror outfits like ISIS and al-Qaeda are enemies of humanity and prosperity of the world. Terrorist outfits have no relation with any religion and they have been defining religion according to their convenience.

"Religious organisations and leaders can use their influence to make people, especially the youth, aware of evil designs of terrorist groups. We have to fight unitedly against these evil forces with a commitment to protect peace of the world and destroy their ill and nefarious designs," the MoS for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs said.

He was speaking here at the International Sufi Conference on the occasion of 796th annual ceremony (Urs Mubarak) of Sarkar Shah-E-Miran Hazrat Peer Miran Saiyed Ali Vali where a resolution was passed condemning "evil forces" that have been killing human values "misusing" religion as cover.

Naqvi termed terrorism and radicalism as the biggest challenge for world peace and prosperity.

"If religious organisations and leaders unite against terrorism and radicalism, these terror elements will not succeed in their motives. Those evil forces, who want to disturb peace and prosperity of the nation, can be isolated and defeated only by the strength of brotherhood and social unity and harmony," he said as per a statement released on Sunday.

Naqvi said that culture and traditions of Sufi saints is need of the hour for harmony and peace. Our culture, traditions and Constitution are a loud and clear message to walk on path of peace, harmony and prosperity and we have to protect this heritage, the Minister said.

We should not weaken these values under influence of any political gimmick, the statement said quoting him.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naqvi said Modi has become a "strong messenger of peace, harmony and prosperity" across the world, he added.