Hawzah News agency (Qom, Iran) – In a meeting with officials of the holy shrines of Iran and Iraq which was held in the city of Qom on Sunday, March 12, Hujjat al-Islam Shahrestani, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Sistani in Iran, asserted, “Cooperation and joint meetings between Shia and Sunni Muslims is considered as a rewarding act, therefore, we need to increase such cooperation between Islamic institutes and Shia Holy shrines in Iraq as well.”   

He added, “During Saddam’s dictatorship in Iraq, his regime ignited the flames of discord and sectarianism among Islamic sects in Iraq; however, after the fall of his regime, by sincere efforts of devoted religious activists, such racial and religious discriminations began to disappear in Iraq and Islamic unity is being promoted.”

The Shia cleric further stressed that focusing on shared beliefs and doctrines among Muslim sects can help establish Islamic unity; “Differences in opinions and attitudes among people are totally normal, but there are so many common beliefs between Shia and Sunni Muslims that we need to build our cooperation upon them.” Hawzah quoted him as saying.

Hujjat al-Islam Shahrestani reiterated that religious discord and sectarianism are caused by Wahhabis, saying, “Some of the greatest tribes in Iraq are Sunni Muslims while some others are Shias; the discord among these tribes are caused by Wahhabis and takfiris. We have nothing against Sunni Muslims, but we condemn those takfiris who excommunicate us.”

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