"The phenomenon of terrorism and extremism in our world today is an expression of political tendencies that has no relation whatsoever with religion," Shaikh Jasem Bin Jabor Al Thani said.
"This phenomenon must be approached on the basis of this premise so that it can be tackled successfully," he said in a lecture at the Islamic Studies Centre at Oxford University themed "A Vision of the Current Arab Situation and Future Prospects".
Distorted image
According to Shaikh Jasem, who is also Qatar's foreign minister, Muslims and Arabs need to exert more efforts to improve the distorted image people have about them.
However, others also need to rectify their views about Arabs and Muslims.
"We emphasise the values of tolerance, justice, openness interactions among peoples, cultures and civilisations. People must live in freedom and dignity in their countries," he said, quoted by Qatar News Agency (QNA).
The prime minister said that the current developments in the Arab world required a candid revision of politics on the ground towards the issue of reform.
"Reform and popular participation emanate from the right of the people to exercise their own will in organising their political life freely and secure the respect of the rights and duties of all individuals in the community," he said.
End item/ 129
