In a historical declaration, made during its 20th session held in Kolkata on Sunday, AIMPLB said such attacks — be it by individuals, groups, states or the government— is terrorism. The declaration, simultaneously, condemns the treatment meted out to Muslim youths who are accused of committing an offence.

“The declaration says Government of India is targeting Muslims without any iota of evidence against them. They are blamed for being involved in terrorist activities,” said Mohammed Abdur Rahim Quraishi, AIMPLB assistant general secretary.

He added, “Islam declares an attack on the innocent a crime against humanity. Therefore, a Muslim cannot support any activity, which can be considered as a terrorist activity.”

“Some groups feel that there is no way out to get their grievances redressed. They feel that they are continuously being oppressed and subjected to torture of the worst kind. They feel there is no way out of the situation and therefore (are) in despair. In this situation of despondency, they take to arms and commit anything which can be called crime,” Quraishi said.

The resolution added that terrorism is not a law and order problem but has sociological aspects to it.

“The government should conduct a survey and analyse what resulted in this sense of despondency and despair, which pushes some people to become terrorists,” he further said.

The AIMPLB maintained it will assume a bigger role to dispel misconceptions against the Muslim community.