BJP leader L K Advani who is undergoing a serious image makeover on Saturday called for an inter-faith dialogue to tackle extremism, bigotry and terrorism which operated under the cloak of religion.

He was speaking at the 90th birthday celebrations of Philiphose Mar Chrisostom, the former supreme head of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, the oldest church in Kerala founded by St Thomas.

“I believe that every faith has something valuable to offer and we should have an open mind to absorb the best in every faith. For religion to be understood and practised in the true sense of the term, we should understand the basic teachings of every faith. This is possible only if we expand and intensify inter-faith dialogue at all levels. India can, and should, take the lead in this,” he said.

Advani said the BJP was not anti-Christian as was being made out. In fact, a section of the church had protested against inviting him to the function.

“I have heard that some people in Kerala protested against Mar Thoma Church inviting me to participate in this function. The protest is a part of the propaganda that my party, the BJP, is anti-minorities and anti-Christian,” he said.