New Delhi, Nov 17 (IANS): The Muslims should declare a jihad (holy war) against terrorism as radicals and zealots have unleashed a reign of terror that challenges the basic tenets of Islam, which propagates and promotes peace and harmony, an Islamic scholar said on Tuesday.

"Waging a jihad is a positive act intended to root out evils from society. Killing of innocents can never be accepted as an act of jihad," Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind leader Maulana Mahmood Madani said at a press conference at the Constitution Club here.

It is the responsibility of Islamic nations to wage war against terrorists who are misusing the name of Islam, the Islamic scholar said.

"There is a need to check groups spreading hatred. Intolerance should be discouraged at all costs," he said.

Quoting teachings of Prophet Mohammed, he said that "saving one human being is like saving humanity".

Madani said countrywide protests would be held on November 18 to denounce terrorism. Protest rallies would be held in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and over 65 other cities in which leaders of various Muslim groups and organisations were expected to participate.

The Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind leader said it is a matter of great concern that terrorists are commiting brutal killings in the name of Islam.

"They claim they represent the real face of Islam. So, it is incumbent upon Muslims, scholars and clerics to preach and propagate the real message of Islam and defeat the designs of fanatics who are out to malign Islam," he said.

Madani said no one could deny that terrorist attacks have caused maximum harm to the Muslims.

He said his organisation has held a series of conference and rallies against terrorism since 2007.