Hawzah News Agency (Tehran, Iran) – Here are some excerpts from Ayatollah Khamenei’s words regarding those who insult Sunni sanctities:

What can make them change their mentality towards the Islamic Republic? What can turn the hearts of Muslims away from the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic? Discord and religious prejudice can turn the hearts of Muslims away from the Islamic Republic. This is what you should be vigilant about. Everyone shoulders a responsibility in this regard. Writing books against Shia or Sunni Muslims or slandering the followers of other denominations will not cause any Shia or Sunni Muslims to convert to other denominations. Those who like to attract all Muslims to the Prophet's Household should know that no one can be convinced to convert to Shia Islam by means of slandering or fomenting discord. Such acts will only result in enmity and conflict among Muslims. And this is exactly what the US and the Zionists are looking for. Their efforts are all aimed at fomenting discord among Muslims.

You see today that there are televised debates between Shia and Sunni Muslims in some non-Muslim European countries. They usually invite both Shia and Sunni Muslims to such programs and ask them to have a debate. What is the purpose behind these programs? Why would a Christian country - a colonialist country with an unenviable historical record - provoke a debate between Shia and Sunni Muslims? Are they after the truth? Are they after revealing the truth to their viewers? Or are they after fanning the flames of discord between Shia and Sunni? We should be vigilant about these facts and act wisely in this regard. Shia beliefs are based on a strong logic. There is strong reasoning behind what Shia ulama and intellectuals say in regard to Shia beliefs. But this does not give Shia Muslims the right to insult and slander Sunni Muslims. I have been informed that there are some centers which provide the funds for Shia and Sunni Muslims to publish insulting books against one another. In some cases, the funds are provided by the same center. Is this not a warning? You should be careful in this regard.

Imam Ali's (a.s.) birth anniversary provided me with the opportunity to make these points and I sought assistance from the great soul of the Commander of the Faithful. These points were made to emphasize what Imam Khomeini (r.a.) always used to say, and which I have always repeated as well. All Muslims should know that defending Shia Muslims does not mean provoking the enmity of those who are opposed to Shia Muslims. This is not defending the Shia. This is not defending wilayah. In fact, this is defending the US and the Zionists. There is nothing wrong with presenting logical reasoning. Shia Muslims can write books and present logical reasoning in regard to their beliefs. This is what our ulama have been doing. Shias have their own independent views in regard to religious principles. They should present logical reasoning in regard to these principles and reject what is contrary to them through logical reasoning. It is not incorrect to do so. This is different from enmity and insult. This is what should be taken into consideration. Dec 17, 2008

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