Moderate Muslim group Minhaj-ul-Quran gather to rally against terrorism and radical Islam

Aug 8 2010 by Ben Goldby, Sunday Mercury

MORE than a thousand young Muslims gathered at a Midland university yesterday to reject terrorism and radical Islam.

Moderate Muslim group Minhaj-ul-Quran hosted the first major grassroots event aimed at tackling Islamist terrorism.

Their founder Dr Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri issued a 600-page fatwa against terrorism earlier this year, condemning extremism with “no ifs, or buts”.

Yesterday saw the launch of a three-day conference at Warwick University to train youngsters to recognise extremism and avoid getting drawn into terrorist groups.

Dr ul-Qadri said: “I have announced an intellectual and spiritual war against extremism and terrorism. I believe this is the time for moderate Islamic scholars who believe in peace to stand up.”

Minhaj-ul-Quran is one of the largest anti-Taliban movements in Pakistan, and has offices across the UK. A spokesman for the group said: “The aim of this meeting is to train youngsters in the true meaning of Islam, to give them the tools to fight extremism for themselves.

Radicalisation