WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. Muslim scholars issued a "fatwa," or religious edict, against terrorism on Thursday and called on Muslims to help authorities fight the scourge of militant violence.

The fatwa was part of efforts by U.S. Muslims to counter perceived links between Islam and terrorism and avert any negative backlash after this month's bombings by suspected Islamic extremists in London and Egypt.

"Having our religious scholars side by side with our community leaders leaves no room for anybody to suggest that Islam and Muslims condone or support any forms or acts of terrorism," said Esam Omeish, president of the Muslim American Society, one of the groups which announced the fatwa.

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said it was the first time Muslims in North America had issued an anti-terrorism edict, although they had repeatedly condemned such acts of violence.

Its crap to suggest that the link between Isalm and terrorism is only "perceived." Its also crap to suggest that some Muslims and some extreme forms of Islam don't support terrorism. The fact that this fatwa was the first ever issued by U.S. muslims against terrorism after 9/11 and all the attacks since indicates that Muslims have a long, long way to go before anyone can say that a link between Islam terrorism is only "perceived."

Still, this is a step in the right direction.