Islam does not breed terrorism: Swami Onkarnath

NEW DELHI: A top Hindu seer on Sunday said that Islam does not breed terrorism and its followers should not be termed as terrorists.
    
"Today, efforts are being made to malign Islam by terming it a religion of terrorism. But the truth is that Islam does not breed terrorism. Those who say so, should try to understand Islam and its teaching," said Shankaracharya Swami Onkarnath Saraswatiji Maharaj of Prayag Math.
    
Onkaranath was here to address concluding ceremony of a two day conference, "Message of Islam to the Humanity", organised by the Jamiat Ahle Hadees, the Muslim Wahhabi sect here at Ramleela ground.
    
"The prophet of Islam, Prophet Mohammed, was a messenger of peace and he taught tolerance to its follower, and in this regard, I am a great admirer of him," the seer said amid applauds by thousand of Muslims at the jam-packed venue.
    
Reminding the joint efforts made by the Hindu and the Muslim religious leaders in the country's freedom movement, the seer said, we should unitedly carry forward this heritage and should live with peace and amity.
    
"Today, we need to come together to bring humanity closer," the seer urged the Muslim community.
    
Referring to the criticism he has to face from other religious leaders of his community, who allege him of siding with Muslims, the seer said, "those who accuse me for "joining hands" with Muslims should actually know, I am trying to "join hearts".