Urumqi (IANS) : Religious leaders, scholars and government officials from China and other countries urged Muslims to resist religious extremism and condemn terrorism at a symposium.

Participants from Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday gathered in Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to share their insights on Islam and experience in combating terrorism, Xinhua reported on Thursday.

The symposium is hosted by the China Religious Culture Communication Association and China Islamic Association.

Keynote speakers said a surging number of terror attacks in the name of Islam in recent years has made it more important than ever to call on Muslims to uphold the spirit of harmony and unity implied in Islamic thought.

Chen Guangyuan, chairman of the China Islamic Association, said opposition to religious extremism is part of Islamic teachings and required in Muslims’ daily behaviour.

Wang Zuo’an, director of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, urged effective regional cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, said people of various ethnic groups in Xinjiang have suffered from terrorism and moved voluntarily to act against religious extremism and maintain social stability.