Sahil Nagpal
Daily India
June 1, 2008

New Delhi, June 1 -- Dalai Lama condemns branding of Muslims as
terroristsTibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Sunday
condemned moves to brand the Muslim community as 'terrorists' in the
wake of the recent spurt in terror activities in India.

Inaugurating the 'Global Conference on Terrorism' here, he said that
it was wrong to brand Muslims as terrorists because of the views and
deeds of a few mischievous people.

"Some mischievous people and their deeds generalize whole religion.
Because of these incidents, it creates impression that Muslims are
militants. It is wrong. I'm Buddhist but I am defending Islam," he said.

He is expected to visit Jama Masjid (Mosque) today for the first time.

India has suffered a wave of militant attacks in recent years, with
targets ranging from mosques; temples to trains but few groups came
forward to claim responsibility for the attacks.

Islamist militant groups in Pakistan and Bangladesh who aim to spread
hatred between Muslims and Hindus and damage fragile peace process
between New Delhi and Islamabad, are often blamed for the bomb
attacks in India. (ANI)