RNA – Speaking at a meeting with participants of the international conference on Takfirism in present world and the mission of the Muslim world, Ayatollah Ali-Reza Arafi, the dean of Iran’s al-Mustafa International University, stressed the approach of approximation between the various Islamic denomination promoted by this Islamic academic centre and demanded that all religious schools in the world of Islam to plan a common cultural and educational system.
He said, “In view of the civilization approved by the Islamic Revolution, all understandings, interests and ethnic groups are recognized and their shared assets are highlighted.”
The revered scholar stressed the determination of al-Mustafa International University to expand the holy teachings of Islam in the global arena and noted, “We are proud of our Shi’a denomination and we believe no ideology should be against the formation of a unified Islamic nation.”
The dean of al-Mustafa International University said the academic centre is inspired by the lofty Islamic teachings of the Ahlul-Bayt, the household of the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic Revolution and added, “al-Mustafa International University is at service of the people across the globe, having planned its activities in line with all of whole humanity.”
Ayatollah Arafi stressed, “al-Mustafa International University believes both in the line of religious approximation, unity and solidarity and also civility and nation-building based on our commonalities.”
The member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution stressed: “By unity we do not mean to unite the different denominations into one because the notion is not possible in view of any Islamic school of thought.”
The Friday prayer leader of Qom also noted, “In view of Islamic proximity, there exists a capacity for unity and the irreligious and disharmonious factors must be left aside.”
The Iranian cleric stressed that the doors for all academic centres in the world of Islam should be open to different denominations and noted,” In line with this belief and along with the approach of following the lifestyle of the Ahlul-Bayt, al-Mustafa International University has followed the strategy and does not find it in contrast with the Islamic nation.”
He noted that al-Mustafa International University has created three institutes and schools according to different Islamic denominations and is ready to share its experiences with other Islamic academies.”
The prominent scholar highlighted the commonalities and familiarities between the different denominations of Islam as important approaches in the educational system at al-Mustafa International University and noted that the Iranian religious academy opposes extremism and sacrilege of Islamic denominations and also stresses affection to the Prophet Muhammad, his household and companions.
The scholar demanded religious schools across the world of Islam to seriously maintain opening their doors to education systems in accordance with all Islamic denominations and spare no effort in planning a common moral, cultural and educational system for different Islamic schools of thought.
“For those who value lofty Islamic teachings, it is quite painful that a nation which is rich with natural resources, human resources, diversity of weather and region and also old history of civilization to be harassed in turbulences.” said the cleric, stressing that if all Islamic states make a unanimous decision to cut economic, political and social ties with the Zionist regime of Israel and call for an election participated by Palestinians, then there will be no Zionist regime.
The director of al-Mustafa International University urged the prevention of the injection of extremist thoughts into Shi’a and Sunni schools as one of the most important strategies against extremism in the world of Islam calling all religious schools to strengthen rational and theoretical bases.
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