The spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, raised eyebrows when he insisted that the West "must engage in dialogue with ISIS (Daesh)" and said leaders should still "have respect" for the terror group despite its sickening crimes against humanity.

In a controversial interview the world’s most prominent Buddhist - characterised as a religion of peace - said education and not war is the key to defeating the jihadi movement, he told the Italian newspaper La Stampa.

But his comments were savagely criticized in some quarters, with people suggesting the leader should be sent to negotiate with Daesh himself.

The Dalai Lama also praised Germany for taking in record numbers of refugees despite strong criticism of Angela Merkel’s open door policy.

Asked how Daesh can be defeated, he replied: "Through dialogue. You have to listen, understand, still have respect for others. There is no other way."

He then added: "We must do it with your heart. Be compassionate. Educate. Germany has been very generous to accept refugees, feed them and dress them, but now will have to educate them."

"Every man has his own religion and its truth, but in a community there must be so many religions and so many truths. Islam is a religion of peace, the intolerant damage their beliefs and their brothers."

Sources: MENA