No such thing as a 'Muslim terrorist': Dalai Lama

He said all religions further the message of love, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, self-discipline

Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, speaking at the European Parliament on Thursday in Strasbourg, France, said the term “Muslim terrorist” used by many was incorrect as anyone “involved in bloodshed” did not remain a “genuine” Muslim.



That wording is wrong," he said, adding, "Any person who wants to indulge in violence is no longer a genuine Buddhist or genuine Muslim, because it is a Muslim teaching that once you are involved in bloodshed, actually you are no longer a genuine practitioner of Islam."



“All major religious traditions carry the same message: a message of love, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, self-discipline — all religious traditions," he continued. Separating fundamentalism from Islam is crucial for integration and curbing violence, the Dalai Lama suggested, along with finding common ground: "On that level we can build a genuine harmony, on the basis of mutual respect, mutual learning, mutual admiration," he said.



The Dalai Lama's remarks come in the same week as the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Islamophobia is on the rise, with many Muslims being subjected to hate crimes across the world. The Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, fled into exile in India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against communist rule.

He wants genuine autonomy for his Himalayan homeland. Although a guest of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Dalai Lama did not meet French government officials while in France.

This article originally appeared on Indy100.