Muslim scholars decry attacks

DUBAI - Muslim scholars from a dozen countries on Thursday condemned suicide bombings by Islamist rebels in Moscow and Dagestan as "criminal terrorist attacks" that violated their faith.

The 24 scholars, including five prominent muftis from Russia, also spoke out against recent violence in Iraq and expressed their condolences to victims and their families.

"Islam absolutely upholds the sanctity of human life and no grievances, even when legitimate, can ever be used to justify or legitimize such murderous and evil acts," they said in a statement from Dubai. The scholars represented major schools of Islam and came from India, the Middle East, Europe and the US.