ISLAMIC scholars and clerics in Indian Kashmir are learning English in what they say is a bid to propagate Islam’s “true message” and remove misconceptions in the West about their faith.

The one-year intensive course is being taught at the new Islamic University of Science and Technology just south of Srinagar, summer capital of Indian Kashmir.

“English is a global language and once we speak it, we-ll be able to easily convey Islam’s true message through this language to people of other faiths,” said student Irshad Ahmed who heads a seminary in Awantipora town, where the university is situated.

The long-bearded students believe Islam has been wrongly portrayed as a religion of violence since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US.

“We want to clear that perception. Islam is for peace and brotherhood, justice and friendship,” says another student Tanveer Wani…

…”We want to remove misconceptions about Islam, especially in the West. We`ll be able to put our points across by learning English,” says Elahi, a soft’spoken man from northern Kashmir.

“We also want to study other religions, their history, culture and beliefs and try to explore what is common between major religions,” adds Ahmed.

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