Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says unity is the only solution to extricate Muslims from their sufferings which are being caused by the US and the Zionists.
“Should we unite and proceed toward Islamic goals in a united manner, then the US and the malignant, nefarious Zionist nexus can no longer hold nations in their clutches,” he said on Saturday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
The Leader was addressing a number of state officials and diplomatic representatives of Muslim countries as well as participants at an international unity conference in Tehran.
“Today, the Muslim world is facing great tribulations, the way out of which is Islamic unity,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “Today, Muslim killings are taking place from Myanmar to Africa; some are being killed at the hands of Boko Haram, others by Buddhists.”
“Today, there are two volitions at contrast with each other in the region: The will for unity and the will for schism. Should unity transpire, the situation will not be as it is today and Muslims will earn esteem.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the British version of Shia Islam and the American version of Sunni Islam, which pit Muslims against one another, are “two blades of the same pair of scissors.”
The British policy of “divide and rule” is seriously being pursued by the enemies of Islam, the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said worldwide Muslim unity, the most important type of readiness needed by the Muslim world, would abort the conspiracy to consign the issue of Palestine to oblivion.
The Leader also referred to recent anti-Iran remarks by British Prime Minister Theresa May and said that, for over two centuries, the United Kingdom has served as a source of “evil and squalor” for nations in our region.
Ayatollah Khemenei pointed to the British government’s divisive bids in India, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq, and noted, “Now, that British official shamelessly claims that Iran is a threat to the region.”
May recently said in the Bahraini capital of Manama that Britain would help “push back” against what she claimed was Iran’s “aggressive regional actions.”
The Leader also said that the arrogance increased its anti-Islam efforts after the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution because it is afraid of the establishment and continued existence of a powerful and model Islamic establishment.
The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was born on the 17th day of the lunar calendar month of Rabi-ul-Awwal in 570 CE.
“Our advice is that all should check out the Qur’anic verses about the Prophet (PBUH). This is a comprehensive collection. What is wrong with our attitude is us neglecting the assortment of divine teachings. The correct path emerges when we pay attention to this inclusive collection,” the Leader asserted.
According to the Sunni narrative, the birth date of the Prophet (PBUH) falls on Rabi-ul-Awwal 12. As per a call made by the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini, the week in between the two dates is marked each year as “the Islamic Unity Week” to promote convergence among Muslims.
The Islamic Republic holds an International Islamic Unity Conference on an annual basis. This year witnessed the colloquium’s 30th edition, with senior officials from Muslim countries and Shia and Sunni scholars in attendance.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, and Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani were also present in the Saturday meeting with the Leader.
The Leader’s speech was preceded by an address by President Rouhani, who also said that divergence among Muslim countries stops them from progressing.
“The Islamic Republic has invariably stood by the aggrieved nations of the region in the face of terrorism and will continue to do so,” he said.
Unfortunately, Rouhani said, some Muslim governments are concerned about the fate of terrorists in Syria and seek to ensure their safe exit from the Syrian city of Aleppo instead of worrying about the down-trodden Syrian people.
