Imam Khamenei: Terrorist crimes have nothing to do with Islam

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei says the atrocities committed by Takfiri terrorists have nothing to do with Islam.

The Supreme Leader made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday.

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei said the terrorist groups’ savage crimes, such as beheading and torching people, show that they know nothing about Islam, noting, “Islam is the religion of fraternity, kindness and seeking the best for others and these crimes have nothing to do with Islam.”

“In countering the violent terrorism and barbarism [committed] by Daesh and like-minded Takfiri groups committing these crimes in the name of Islam, people should be given the chance to practice rightful Islamic activities,” said the Supreme Leader.

The best way for blocking the infiltration of the Takfiri currents, the Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei said, is to bolster genuine Islamic ideologies, which his Eminence described as “moderate and sensible.”

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei also described the nations of Iran and neighboring Turkmenistan as close relatives and underscored the need for the two countries to take “effective and practical” steps with a view to implementing bilateral agreements.

The Supreme Leader underlined the necessity for Iran and Turkmenistan to further cooperation amid tense conditions prevailing in the region.

“Iran-Turkmenistan border are frontiers of peace and calm, and are reason for the two sides’ peace of mind and the possibility of using the Iran route for access to the Persian Gulf and high seas is a valuable opportunity for Turkmenistan,” said ALeader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei.

For his part, the Turkmen president described as unfavorable the ongoing political conditions in the region and noted that Daesh and its followers are foreigners to the teachings of Islam. He expressed regret that certain governments are supporting the Daesh terrorists.

Berdimuhamedow also expressed delight with his meeting with Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei, saying Iran and Turkmenistan maintain historically good ties.

He welcomed Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei’s description of Iranian and Turkmen nations as close relatives and said the implementation of the recommendations of the Leader during previous visits have born fruitful results.

The Turkmen leader also said that some countries are interested in becoming linked to high seas through Iran and Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen head of state had last met with Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Sayyyed Ali Khamenei during a 2012 visit to the Islamic Republic.

Gurbanguly arrived in Tehran earlier in the day on a visit aimed at boosting the bilateral ties.

So far during the visit, Iran and Turkmenistan have signed nine memorandums of understanding for the expansion of cooperation in different fields, including the health and medical sector, media, power transfer, sports, transportation, and housing.

During his stay, the Turkmen president is also to attend the third Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit, which is to be held in the Iranian capital on Monday, with nine heads of states, including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in attendance.