Wednesday, May 18 2005 09:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Muslim clerics in Pakistan yesterday (May 17, 2005) issued a decree declaring as "un-Islamic" suicide attacks in public places in an Islamic country but kept Kashmir out of its purview.

The clerics, who gathered in Lahore, said those who believe that suicide attacks are meant to earn blessings would be considered out of Islam.

However, 58 clerics from different schools of thought, said the decree does not apply to Palestinian and Kashmiri Muslims.

The decree was issued at a press conference by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, who heads an officials moon sighting body and the Government run federal Press Information Department.

He said murder of a non-Muslim is also prohibited if he comes to a Muslim state with permission as "Islam calls for protection of non-Muslims".

"State terrorism, individual terrorism and groups terrorism, all these should be condemned and there should be explanation of terrorism and liberation movement," he said.

Rehman said attacks on mosques are prohibited in Islam adding such attacks should be condemned at all levels.

He said the decree has been issued in view of the recent bomb blasts, which killed a large number of people at public and places of worship.

"There was a need to issue such decree as there was impression to defame Islam that religious clerics incite Muslims to kill each other," Muneeb ur Rehman said.

Several scholars opposed the decree and described the move as an attempt to please the Government of Pakistan and America.