ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: Speakers at a conference here on Monday stressed that there was no place for terrorism in Islam, and asked Muslim to forge unity among their ranks to face challenges at national and international level.

The participants of the "Maulood-i-Kaaba Conference" also paid tributes to Hazrat Ali (RA). The event had been organized by Central Imam Hussain Committee in connection with the birth anniversary celebrations of Hazrat Ali.

Those who spoke on the occasion included MNA Dr Ashiq Firdoos, Senator Dilawar Abbas, parliamentary secretary, ministry of education, Jafar Hussain Bukhari, Syed Ghazanfar Mehdi, Pir Naqeeburehman and officials from the Iranian embassy.

MNA Dr Ashiq Firdoos said the time had come that "we should mend our differences for ever and unite for the betterment of the country and Muslim world". Parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Education, Jafar Hussain Bukhari, said Muslims had always been the target of terrorism by outsiders, which was due to their inability to understand and follow the true spirit of Islam.

Senator Dilawar Abbass said Muslims would never bow before any power, and would sacrifice their lives to save their coming generations from the slavery of the imperialistic powers. He said Pakistan was the back bone of Muslim countries and a strong Pakistan meant strong Muslim world.

The speakers also condemned the desecration of holy places in Iraq and accused the US of state terrorism. They said the US had trampled human rights and violated international laws by attacking and destroying Iraq for the sake of occupying its oil reserves and serving the interests of the corporate world.

They also condemned the US threats to Iran and said it wanted to occupy Muslim states one after another to safeguard the interests of Israel.