In 1996 , the Organisation of The Islamic Conference agreed to call for " pragmatic and constructive steps to counter the negative propaganda against Islam ; to remove and rectify misunderstandings ; and to present the true image of Islam : the religion of peace and tolerance . " In September 2001 , in the wake of the September 11 attacks , U.S. President George W. Bush said : " The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam . That 's not what Islam is all about . Islam is peace . These terrorists do n't represent peace . They represent evil and war . " Some have pointed out that the word " Islam " is etymologically related to the Arabic word '' salām '' meaning " peace " . This prompted criticism from some quarters and a poll of United States Evangelical Protestant leaders taken in 2002 revealed that only 10 % agreed with Bush that Islam was synonymous with peace
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Religion of peace