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In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the hereditary imam of Shiite Ismaili Muslims, argues that today's Middle Eastern terrorists are fueled by political motivations and not religion.

In an interview published by Deutsche Welle on 12 September 2004, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV argues that today's Middle Eastern terrorists are fueled by political motivations and not religion.

Q: Your majesty, the world is shocked by terrorist attacks that are carried out by people who claim to be fighting for Islam. You, as a prominent Muslim leader, have claimed that Islam is a religion of peace. Does that mean that Islam has two faces?

The Aga Khan (L) talks to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell as German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (R) arrives for a family picture during a break at the conference of international donors for Afghanistan in Berlin March 31, 2004. Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged international donors not to let Afghanistan revert to a "haven for drugs and terrorists" at the start of a conference on Wednesday at which it is seeking over $27 billion in aid.

The Aga Khan, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, special representative of the Prime Minister of Japan Sadako Ogata, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer (LtoR) pose for a family picture during a break at the conference of international donors for Afghanistan in Berlin March 31, 2004. Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged international donors not to let Afghanistan revert to a "haven for drugs and terrorists" at the start of a conference on Wednesday at which it is seeking over $27 billion in aid.

While attending the Berlin International Conference for Afghanistan, Minister Carroll met with the Aga Khan, Head of the Aga Khan Development Network. CIDA and the Aga Khan Foundation are partners in a variety of projects in Asia and Africa.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (C) and former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl (R) wave after a tree planting ceremony as Aga Khan (L) and Sir Timothy Berners-Lee look on during the festivities marking the 15th anniversary of the formal re-unification of Germany in Potsdam, south of Berlin October 3, 2005.

President Benjamin Mkapa and his wife Anna chat with His Royal Highness the Aga Khan in Berlin, Germany. Mkapa was one of the speakers during a ceremony in which the Aga Khan and other distinguished personalities received Die Quadriga awards in recognition of their achievements in varous socio-scientific fields.

Left to right – Dr Helmut Kohl, former German Chancellor; Mikhail Gorbatschev, former President of the USSR; His Highness; William Benjamin Mkapa, President of the Republic of Tanzania.

The Aga Khan, right, receives from Afghan President Hamid Karzai the Quadriga award in Berlin on Monday, Oct. 3, 2005. The award is bestowed every year on 3rd October in Berlin to four personalities of the political, economic, social and cultural life, who point the way to the future for enlightenment, regeneration and pioneering spirit through their commitment. Karzai described The Aga Khan as 'an esteemed ambassador between cultures' and 'one of the most renowned personalities of our time.'

The Aga Khan, Timothy Berners-Lee, the former Soviet Union leader Michael Gorbachev and former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, from left, pose for media after they plant cherry trees in the garden of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam on Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 prior to the awarding ceremony of the Quadriga awards in Berlin. 'Quadriga' honors people for cultural, political and social engagement.

2005, October 21: German development minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, left, welcomes the Aga Khan, right, spiritual leader of world's Ismailis, prior to their talks in Berlin Friday, Oct. 21, 2005.

His Highness with Sir Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the internet and Director of the World Wide Web Consortium.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (L) presents 'United We Care' award to Aga Khan during a ceremony in Berlin October 3, 2005. The award goes to individuals German group, Quadriga, judges to have made an outstanding contribution to their communities.

H.E. Hamid Karzai bestows Die Quadriga Award to His Highness.