Cleric hails Iran as cradle for Islamic unity

Hujjat-ul-Islam Seyyed Hamed Alam-ul-Hoda, Iran Deputy at the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, took part in the celebration for the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), said those who are concerned with the issue of solidarity among Muslims are keeping hopeful views on Iran and enemies are struggling to undermine this hope, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).

The scholar expressed satisfaction over the ceremonies held for the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) calling the prophet of Islam as the symbol of this unity and said,” Participation of Shia and Sunni Muslims in the ceremonies for Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Imam Sadeq (AS), sixth Shia Imam, have been a thorn in the side of the enemies.”

He criticized the efforts by extremist Shia and Sunni satellite channels and desecration of Islamic sanctities to be against guidelines of late Imam Khomeini (RA) and the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and added,” Any  move in contrast with Islamic solidarity is a move in line with objectives of the enemies.”

He noted that media is not a proper arena for spreading disagreements and referred to the seminaries as the location for discussion over minor Fiq’h disagreements due to the respect and distance from the media chaos.

Iran deputy at the World Forum announced participation of Shia and Sunni figures from 74 countries in the upcoming Islamic Unity Conference.

Annually, Islamic Unity Conference is held by the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, concurrent with the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). A minor historical quote by Shia and Sunni Muslims, birth anniversary of the prophet of Islam is celebrated among the two denominations with a short time difference. In a maiden wise move by the late founder of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA), and in a bid to settle the possible disagreements between the denominations, the span of a week between two quotes in Shia and Sunni history is dubbed as Islamic Unity Week joining all Muslims from different denominations in a week of festivities.

Upcoming Islamic Unity Week is to be held on December 27-29, 2015.