Leh: “There is no such thing as a Muslim terrorist,” Dalai Lama said on Wednesday, while calling India as the ‘best example’ of communal harmony in the world.
Dalai Lama is a title given to spiritual leaders of the Tibetan people. They are monks of the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest of the schools of Tibetan Buddhismfounded by Je Tsongkhapa. The Dalai Lama title was created by Altan Khan, the Prince of Shunyi granted by Ming Dynasty, in 1578. The 14th and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.
He was speaking during a lunch organized for him by All Muslim Coordination Committee at Eidgah in Leh.
He said any Muslim who indulges in terrorist activity can no longer be a true follower of Islam.
“He shouldn’t be generalized as a Muslim terrorist,” said Dalai Lama.
Expressing his delight to be among Muslims community, the Buddhist spiritual leader said his prime commitment is to make the world a compassionate and happy place.
Irrespective of the faith, he said, all human beings desire happiness, love and affection.
Calling faith a personal matter, Dalai Lama said that our focus should be to live harmoniously.
Back in September, 2016, Dalai Lama has used similar statements to disregard the generalisation of the term “Muslim terrorist”.
During a visit to the European Parliament, the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader pointed out that since all religions preach peace, calling someone a “Muslim terrorist” or a “Buddhist terrorist” is simply an oxymoron.
President Anjuman Moin-Ul-Islam, Dr. Abdul Qayum called the gathering a gesture from Muslim community of Ladakh, which exhibits the exemplary communal harmony.
“Ladakhi are exceptional in maintaining communal harmony. We don’t get influenced by external factors and Muslims from Zojila to Turtuk in Nobra do their best to maintain communal harmony,” he said.
However, Qayum rued that some “black sheep” were bringing bad name to Muslims.
Expressing his gratitude to Dalai Lama for his time, Anjuman Imamiya President Ashraf Ali Barcha said: “Your visit gives us special opportunity to get-together. We tried our best to follow your advice to strengthen the communal harmony and peace in the society.”
