Hawzah News Agency (Pretoria, South Africa) - According to the University of Islamic Denominations, "Islamic unity in Imam Khomeini"s (r.a.) viewpoint" was the theme of the program, which was addressed by Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Mokhtari, the dean of the university and head of Urvat-ol-Wothqa International Institute.

In his address, he said that the late founder of the Islamic Revolution raised the discussion of Islamic unity from the beginning of the movement, stressing that there should be unity and solidarity among followers of different Islamic schools of thought.

He regretted that some extremist groups provide incorrect interpretations of religious texts, saying such extremist thoughts are not accepted in Imam Khomeini's (r.a.) view and the incorrect interpretations have caused problems in the way of Islamic unity.

These interpretations of some jurisprudential issues such as Jihad, have even resulted in negative attitudes towards Muslims in the world, since the extremists even kill their Muslim brothers to reach their goals, he said.

Ayatollah Mokhtari noted that such incorrect interpretations have paved the way for the enemies of Islam to launch more invasions to Muslim lands and create more discord among Muslims.

He further highlighted the role of mosques, scholars and academic figures in creating Islamic unity and said that in Imam Khomeini's (r.h.) view, all of these groups have an influential role in this respect.

They should provide correct interpretations of Islamic principles and by writing books, articles and delivering speeches, they should inform the world, particularly the younger generation, of the danger of the extremist groups and thoughts threatening Islam and Muslims.

He added that according to Hadiths of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and the infallible Imams (a.s.), holding extremist views is a diversion from the right path of Islam and that true Muslims avoid such extremist thoughts.