Intl Shia conference on terrorism, Iraq on May 7

Lucknow, May 6: An international conference of Shia religious leaders will be held here tomorrow to deliberate upon issues, including terrorism, killing of community members in Pakistan and attack on Shia religious sites in Iraq.

The conference would be attended by over 200 Shia religious leaders from across the world, secretary of the welcome committee of the 3rd Ahl-e-Bait conference Maulana Yasub Abbas said here yesterday.

''The issue of terrorism, killing of Shias in Pakistan and attack on Shia religious sites in Iraq. In India too, there are several issues, including teaching of Arabic culture, where the biographies of Hazrat Mohammed and his family members are not taught,'' he added.

He claimed the conference would also pass seven resolutions on various issues affecting lives of Shias across the world.

To a poser, Maulana Abbas maintained that imposing personal beliefs also amounted to terrorism. ''Terrorism does not necessarily mean killing innocents and brandishing weapons.'' The original dissidents of Mohd Sahib are known as Ahl-e-Bait.

This is the third such conference, which would be presided by Maulana Mirza Muhammed Athar.

UNI