<p class="title">Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday appealed to Muslims in India to make efforts to reduce Shia-Sunni conflicts that are prevalent in some other countries and asserted that Islam is a religion of peace.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He lamented the bloodshed over denominational differences, which he said should be avoided as Islam teaches compassion and harmony.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Addressing an event at the Goa Institute of Management, the 14th Dalai Lama stressed the need for international brotherhood and harmony.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are part of the world of seven billion human beings. Sometimes, I suggested that the Indian community in America, England and different European countries should invite some Europeans during Diwali and New Year, and talk about 'ahimsa' (non-violence) which is the basis of religious tolerance," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sunni and Shia are two major denominations of Islam. They chose sides after the death of Islamic prophet Muhammad in AD 632.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Muslims across the globe follow the same Quran and also pray five times a day. However, there are killing each other owing to differences between the sects like Shia and Sunni," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Dalai Lama said, "I was in Ladakh. I suggested to Ladakhi Muslims that Indian Muslims should make some efforts to reduce the conflict between Shias and Sunnis".</p>.<p class="bodytext">He told the audience that a national conference of Muslims would be organised in the coming months, which will be followed by a similar convention at the international level.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said modern India has remained by and large peaceful due to the over 1000-year-old history of religious harmony.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The modern and independent India is peaceful despite being a hugely populated and democratic nation," the 83-year-old spiritual leader said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He appealed to educationists to combine the modern education with ancient knowledge and introduce the same in educational curriculum, first within the country and then at the international level.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We should show that if problems happen we can solve them through a dialogue. It is more important to have inner disarmament through knowledge," he added. </p>
<p class="title">Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday appealed to Muslims in India to make efforts to reduce Shia-Sunni conflicts that are prevalent in some other countries and asserted that Islam is a religion of peace.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He lamented the bloodshed over denominational differences, which he said should be avoided as Islam teaches compassion and harmony.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Addressing an event at the Goa Institute of Management, the 14th Dalai Lama stressed the need for international brotherhood and harmony.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We are part of the world of seven billion human beings. Sometimes, I suggested that the Indian community in America, England and different European countries should invite some Europeans during Diwali and New Year, and talk about 'ahimsa' (non-violence) which is the basis of religious tolerance," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sunni and Shia are two major denominations of Islam. They chose sides after the death of Islamic prophet Muhammad in AD 632.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Muslims across the globe follow the same Quran and also pray five times a day. However, there are killing each other owing to differences between the sects like Shia and Sunni," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Dalai Lama said, "I was in Ladakh. I suggested to Ladakhi Muslims that Indian Muslims should make some efforts to reduce the conflict between Shias and Sunnis".</p>.<p class="bodytext">He told the audience that a national conference of Muslims would be organised in the coming months, which will be followed by a similar convention at the international level.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said modern India has remained by and large peaceful due to the over 1000-year-old history of religious harmony.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The modern and independent India is peaceful despite being a hugely populated and democratic nation," the 83-year-old spiritual leader said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He appealed to educationists to combine the modern education with ancient knowledge and introduce the same in educational curriculum, first within the country and then at the international level.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We should show that if problems happen we can solve them through a dialogue. It is more important to have inner disarmament through knowledge," he added. </p>