“Liberation of Aleppo, fruit of Islamic unity”

“For this same reason, sowing discord is one of their most important positions and such efforts are proof that we must continue to work toward establishing unity in the Islamic world,” the religious cleirc told Rasa news.

The Iranian cleric explained that from a logical perspective, unity and friendship is better and more productive than hatred and division. One of the effects of Shi’ah-Sunni unity is that it attracts Sunnis toward Shi’ism. For example, Shaykh Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, was a Sunni before. He was given a copy of the Quran as a gift from Imam Khomeini.

“This respectable relationship and the friendly manner of Imam Khomeini didn’t just lead Shaykh Zakzaky toward Shi’ism but it led 25 million Sunnis in Nigeria to become Shi’ahs. This is the work of unity and solidarity,” he said.

Hujjat al-Islam Daneshmand said the security that Iran enjoys today was attained through the unity and solidarity of its people and the lack of religious and sectarian division and dissension among the people. “Today Sunnis are well aware that thanks to this unity, the security of the country is preserved and in this regard, the country’s Sunnis, alongside the Shi’ahs, are supportive and provide assistance in creating unity in Iran.”

The teacher in the Islamic Seminary said that in regard to security, Iranian Sunnis assist the country’s security forces and prevent the creation of division and dissension by certain groups which exist in the country. “Even some Sunni scholars who aren’t in favour of unity, have taken a strong position against the activities of those who have been affected by the Wahhabi ideology and the efforts by Saudi Arabia against Shi’ism. They have also endeavoured to strengthen unity in Iran and the world,” he said.

He said we have witnessed the Takfiris are suffering defeat in Syria and Iraq and the liberation of the city of Aleppo after years of occupation by Takfiris terrorists is one of the failures that they have experienced. The alliance which led to the victory of the Islamic Resistance Front was due to the insight and guidance of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, and the religious authorities.

Hujjat al-Islam Daneshmand explained that when Ayatollah al-Sistani issued a fatwa calling on Iraqi citizens to defend their country against Takfiri forces in June 2014, more than five million Shi’ahs and Sunnis in Iraq united and Daesh was forced to retreat.

“In Syria, Islamic unity led to the enemies’ attempts to overthrow the government of President Bashar al-Asad to be rendered ineffective and for the Takfiris to abandon their attempts to build a state and every day, we have received news of the liberation of more cities and villages,” he said.