Pak Ulema calls IS, TTP, Al Qaeda's philosophy 'misleading, un-Islamic'

About 200 Islamic clerics in Pakistan have described the philosophy of the self-styled Islamic State (IS), the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram and other so-called jihadi outfits as misleading.

At a conference of religious scholars held in Lahore on Sunday, the clerics issued a decree against suicide attacks, deeming them "unlawful" under Islamic law, the Dawn reported.

The diktat, which was released to the media by Maulana Ziaul Haq Naqshbandi, said terror groups operated in an "un-Islamic" way, and their "flawed" thinking was based on poor knowledge and ignorance.

They argued that these so-called jihadi outfits were unmindful of the conditions that must be fulfilled before calling for a jihad, and added that elements involved in sectarian violence were guilty of 'fasad,' as Islam did not permit killings in the name of sect.

The decree also branded the elements opposing polio immunization campaign as "misguided people", saying that those killing women health workers were the worst criminals, and termed those attacking worship places of non-Muslims as the "worst sinners", for protecting non-Muslims was mandatory for an Islamic state.

The conference also decided to observe May 22 as a day for peace and love and said sermons against unlawful killings would be delivered in about 400,000 mosques on that day.

An ulema board will be set up to counter the narrative of terrorist organizations and a movement called 'Eradicate Terrorism and Save Country' would also be launched, said Naqshbandi.

The conference also called for the passing of "international legislation" against blasphemy.

The move came just days after gunmen killed 45 people and injured 13 others by opening fire inside a bus carrying Ismailis near Safoora Chowk in Karachi.