(Rptg; inserting the designation of Sajjad Lone in last para)

New Delhi, Sept 14 (UNI) Condemning yesterday's serial blasts in the Capital, visiting British Justice Secretary Jack Straw today cautioned against attempts to hijack a faith by those believing in violence.

Interacting with Muslim leaders at an Iftaar Party hosted by British High Commissioner Sir Richard Staag here this evening, Mr Straw said terrorism was against the basic tenets of Islam or any other religion, so it would be unjustified to identify the perpetrators of the violence with a faith.

''A terrorist is a terrorist whatever religion he may belong to, so one should guard against the use of language while referring to such incidents,'' stressed Mr Straw.

He said Britian had also undergone the terrible experience that Delhiites had yesterday.

''The great danger of such outrages is that the public and politicians fall into the trap laid by terrorists,'' the British Justice Secretray said.

Underlining the fact that in history, other faiths have also been hijacked by believers in violence, he said one has to be on perpetual guard against such attempts.

Pointing out that Islam was the fastest growing religion in UK, Mr Straw called upon its followers to join hands with his country to face the common threat of terrorism.

Prominent Muslim leaders who attended the Iftaar party included Khwaja Hasan Sani Nizami, and the People Conference Chairman and son of slain Kashmiri leader Abdul Ghani Lone, Sajjad Lone. Paksitan Ambassador to India Shahid Malik and Afghanistan Ambassador Dr Syed Makhdoom Rahin also among the dignitaries present.

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