Hawzah News Agency- Senior Shia scholar Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi received Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, Head of Iran’s Seminary in a meeting on Sunday, June 26 during which the senior cleric referred to the fruitful results of Ayatollah Arafi’s recent visit to the Vatican and European countries and admired head of Iran’s Seminary for his international character and said, “you were the most competent person for this trip, and thank God, this visit had good effects and results, for which I sincerely appreciate your efforts.”

Grand Ayatollah Makarem further added, "One of the problems among religions is their difference of perspectives, such issues can be addressed and eliminated with such visits and interfaith meetings."

"We must rely on commonalities and avoid differences," he said.

The Shia source of emulation mentioned the promotion of Shia school of thought as one of the important results of such trip and added, "Your trip on behalf of Shia scientific centers was effective in resolving some of the false claims raised against the Shia faith."

Grand Ayatollah Makarem also considered it necessary to establish interfaith talks between Shia and Sunni scholars and asserted, "If communication with Sunni scholars is developed, we can neutralize those propagations wishing to sow discord among religions.”

At the end of the meeting, Senior Scholar Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi prayed for Ayatollah Arafi and wished him success in his future endeavors.

It must be noted that at the beginning of the meeting, Ayatollah Arafi presented a detailed report of his visit to the Vatican and some European countries which took place earlier this month.