WASHINGTON, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- For the first time, leading US Muslim scholars on Thursday issued a religious edict to condemn terrorism and religious extremism.

    "Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives," said the decree, or fatwa, released in Washington DC by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), a group of US Muslim scholars interpreting Islamic law.

    It is the first time Muslims in North America issued an anti-terrorism edict, although they had repeatedly condemned such acts of violence.

    The fatwa has been endorsed by major US Muslim groups.

    In the edict, the 18-member FCNA said people who committed terrorism are "criminals," not "martyrs."

    All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden)in Islam," and "it is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence," declared the fatwa.

    It also said that it is both the civic and religious duty of Muslims to "cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians."

    We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism," the scholars wrote.

    Similar anti-terrorism fatwa have been issued by other Muslim communities. After the bombings in London religious leaders from about 500 British mosques issued such an edict and presented it tolocal politicians.

    After the Sept. 11 terror attacks, major US Muslim organizations have condemned terrorism and denied any religious justification for it.

    The anti-terror efforts has been intensified following the July7 bombings in London and the following attacks two weeks later.

    There are some 6 million Muslims living in the United States, according to recent estimates. Enditem