Hawzah News Agency- The conference marked the passage of fifteen centuries of Islamic history and focused on the Prophet’s enduring legacy of mercy, human dignity, justice, and unity, emphasizing the relevance of his teachings in addressing contemporary global challenges.
Humanity and unity at the core of Islam
Speaking at the event, Hojatoleslam Syed Aqeel al-Gharwi, a prominent Indian scholar and orator, highlighted the global and human-centered mission of Islam, stressing that the essence of the religion is morality and humanity.
“The foundation of Islam is human dignity and ethical conduct,” al-Gharwi said. “Shiism and Sunnism are not separate religions. The divisions we see today are the result of political projects throughout history, not the teachings of the Prophet or the Holy Quran.”
He rejected all forms of sectarianism, prejudice, and internal hostility, stating that Islam categorically opposes fragmentation within the Muslim community and calls for unity based on shared values.
Capitalism and global injustice
Addressing current global challenges, al-Gharwi warned that the dominant capitalist system poses one of the greatest threats to humanity, linking it to widespread conflict, instability, and war.
“Many of today’s regional and global crises are driven by the economic and political interests of global capitalism, particularly within the US-Israeli axis,” he said, adding that exploitation and inequality undermine peace and human dignity worldwide.
Unity through knowledge, love, and awareness
Al-Gharwi emphasized that unity among Muslims can only be achieved through empathy, proper religious education, and historical awareness. He urged Muslims to place the Prophet of Mercy at the center of Islamic unity.
“As long as Muslims do not move along the axis of love, awareness, and rational understanding, enemies will continue to exploit divisions,” he said. “The Prophet of Mercy must be the focal point of unity.”
He also called for an end to politically motivated disputes and provocations, urging Muslims to overcome fabricated differences and work collectively toward deeper and lasting unity.
Countering historical distortions about Shiism
The Indian scholar strongly criticized attempts to associate Shiism with a specific country, particularly Iran, describing such claims as deliberate historical distortions aimed at fueling sectarian tensions.
“To incite hostility, some falsely claim that Shiism originated in Iran,” al-Gharwi said. “This is entirely contrary to historical fact.”
He noted that Iran was conquered in the early Islamic period and remained predominantly Sunni for centuries, producing many of the greatest Sunni scholars in Islamic history.
“Cities such as Bukhara, Nishapur, Nasa, and Sijistan—once part of the Iranian cultural sphere—gave rise to towering Sunni figures including Imam Bukhari and Abu Hanifa,” he said.
Shiism’s origins in early Islam
Al-Gharwi stressed that Shiism emerged during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) and has its roots in the earliest Islamic community, not in any later political or national context.
“The first Shiite political formations emerged in the Arab world,” he said, adding that prominent companions of the Prophet such as Salman al-Farsi, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, Miqdad ibn Aswad, and Ammar ibn Yasir were among the foundational figures of Shiite thought.
“Shiism is neither imported nor confined to a specific land,” he said. “It is an integral part of early Islamic history and identity.”
Shiism beyond geography and politics
Referring to contemporary Iran, al-Gharwi clarified that the existence of a Shiite government today does not define the origins of Shiism.
“Shiism is not the product of a modern state,” he said. “It is the outcome of centuries of belief, scholarship, and devotion that originated in the heart of early Islamic society. Reducing Shiism to a nation or ethnicity is a political project designed to sow mistrust among Muslims.”
Islam as a universal message of mercy
Concluding his remarks, al-Gharwi reaffirmed that humanity lies at the heart of Islam’s message.
“The Holy Prophet was not only a guide for Muslims, but a mercy for all humanity,” he said. “His message transcended race, geography, and religion, offering a universal model for coexistence, justice, and moral conduct—one that remains urgently needed in today’s divided world.”
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