Islam great, but distorted by few extremists: Obama (Lead)
November 7th, 2010 - 2:56 pm ICT by IANS
Mumbai, Nov 7 (IANS) Islam is a great religion but there is a need to isolate those who have distorted its vision, US President Barack Obama told a gathering of college students here Sunday.
“Well, the phrase jehad has a lot of meanings within Islam. It is subject to lot of different interpretations. But I will say that first Islam is one of the world’s great religions and over a billion people practice Islam,” Obama said at the packed forecourt of St. Xavier’s College here.
“The overwhelming majority want peace, justice, fairness and tolerance. All of us recognise that this great religion, in the hands of a few extremists, has been distorted. One of the challenges we face is how to isolate those who have distorted its vision,” Obama said when a student asked for his views on jehad.
“The religion teaches peace, justice, fairness and tolerance. All of us recognise that this great religion cannot justify violence,” he added.
“We affirm that Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Jew or any other religion…we all need to treat each other with respect and dignity that Gandhi referred to. It’s a major challenge not only in India but also around the world,” said Obama, who looked at ease while interacting with the students gathered from six Mumbai colleges.
- Islam distorted by a few extremists, Obama - Nov 07, 2010
- Obama answers some 'tough questions', swings through Mumbai (Roundup) - Nov 07, 2010
- Amid Afpak talk and more, Obamas swing their way through Mumbai (Afternoon Lead) - Nov 07, 2010
- US-India ties indispensable in 21st century: President Obama - Nov 07, 2010
- US envoy greets Muslims on Eid - Nov 16, 2010
- Indian students asked Obama very tough questions: US media - Nov 08, 2010
- Islam doesn't allow killing of mankind: Pakistani scholar - Feb 29, 2012
- Heart of Indian culture lies in Islam: Khurshid - Jul 26, 2010
- 'Diya', 'Saal mubarak', Obama strikes chord with Hindi words - Nov 06, 2010
- Pakistani schools portray Hindus, minorities negatively: US study - Nov 10, 2011
- Islam-Christianity dialogue features at Kazakh interfaith meet - May 31, 2012
- Our time with children very special: Michelle - Nov 07, 2010
- Obama condemns Pak minister's assassination in "strongest possible terms" - Mar 03, 2011
- Obama hits out at Myanmar polls - Nov 07, 2010
- Safe havens for terrorists within Pakistan borders unacceptable: President Obama - Nov 08, 2010
Tags: barack obama, challenges, college students, dignity, extremists, fairness, forecourt, gandhi, hindu, jehad, jew, mumbai colleges, muslim, overwhelming majority, practice islam, religions, s college, st xavier, tolerance, violence