New Delhi, July 26 : Minister of State for Corporate and Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid on Monday said Islam stands for peace, brotherhood and prosperity.

Khurshid stressed Islam has played a great role in shaping the art, culture and social behavior that today typically signifies the 'Indianness'

Releasing an Urdu book titled 'Islam aur Islami Quiz- Ilm ka khazana' in the national capital today, Khurshid stressed the need to soak into our souls the idea of secularism and include it in every aspect of our lives.

Salman Khurshid said Urdu too has acted as a great cementing force in our ever-evolving culture, ethos and art, especially cinema.

"The world today recognizes the fact that the path of Secularism that India had adopted decades ago is becoming even more relevant today when many people talk of clashes of civilizations or of ways of life; but in India all communities are able to live constantly in peace and harmony," said Khurshid.

Member of Parliament from Assam Naznin Faruque was also present on the occasion.

The book 'Islam aur Islami Quiz- Ilm ka khazana' has been written and published by Ikhlas Ahmad Sherwani, a well known social worker of Aligarh and contains articles on the true message of Islam by world's renowned Islamic writers, including Allama Taj Mohammad Khan from the well known Al Azhar Islamic University of Cairo.

The book's basic message is that Islam never meant violence and strife; instead it is meant to harmonize the world by spreading the message of peace, brotherhood and oneness so that the humanity as a whole keeps on progressing on the path of development.

Ikhlas Ahmad Sherwani narrating his personal experience said that the true followers of any religion - say Islam or Hinduism - never indulge in violence or terrorism; it is only a handful of people with distorted minds and a myopic vision that vitiate the atmosphere.

He informed that soon a Hindi and English version of the book will also be out.