LONDON, United Kingdom: British Muslim groups have declared that terrorism is "not in our name" and launched a campaign to distance themselves from terrorists.

They've gone on the defensive after eight Muslims were arrested in connection with failed car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow, Scotland.

The Muslims United coalition has placed advertisements in British newspapers condemning the June 30 attacks as contrary to the teachings of Islam, praising the emergency services as "courageous" and hailing the government's "calm and proportionate" reaction to the crisis.

The "not in our name" theme is borrowed from mass protests in Britain against the invasion of Iraq.

The ads also quote the Quran: "Whoever kills an innocent soul, it is as if he killed the whole of mankind. And whoever saves one, it is as if he saved the whole of mankind."

A later phase of the campaign will see adverts placed on billboards, London buses and the Tube carrying a similar message.

Organizers have also set up a website - www.islamispeace.org.uk  - carrying detailed information about Islamic teaching and history.