Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) – Addressing a group of European scholars and researchers who participated in the 5^th International Shia Studies Course in Qom on Wednesday, August 23, senior Shia scholar Ayatollah Alavi Boroujerdi highlighted unity among divine religions saying, “Abrahamic religions all believe in the same God and follow holy prophets; divine religions were all sent upon mankind for the same purpose; to create peace, fight oppression and promote moral virtues worldwide.

Ayatollah Alavi Boroujerdi went on, "Today, the Christians, Muslims and Zoroastrians are living in a peaceful harmony in Iran and we’re the only Islamic country whose Jewish citizens are living in peace."

The seminary lecturer further added, "We hope that all divine religions join their efforts to spread peace worldwide, to help eradicate poverty, hunger, oppression and discrimination all around the world."

Reiterating that Iranian Shia Muslims believe in proximity of Islamic sects, the Shia scholar said, "There’s no problem regarding the cohabitation of Islamic sects in Iran; everyone is free to discuss their religious beliefs, but at the end of the day, all Iranians live in peace and respect each other’s faiths."

Asserting that Iranian Shias distinguish Sunni Islam from Wahhabism and takfiri doctrine, Ayatollah Alavi Boroujerdi concluded, "We consider Wahhabism as a major threat to the Islamic world; dirty hands of the enemy are at play to sow discord among Islamic sects, since their benefits are better served in such conditions."