RNA - Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Khamenei stated in response to a query: “Insulting the symbols of the Sunni brothers, including the Prophet Muhammad’s wife (Aisha) is forbidden. This includes the women of all prophets and especially the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the leader of all Prophets.”
The Fatwa was issued in a response to a query by a group of religious Shia scholars and intelligentsias of Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia. The query was made after one extremist Kuwaiti Shia cleric, ‘Sheikh’ Yasser Al-Habib, insulted Aisha which faced great commotions and strong oppositions. In a severe reaction, the Kuwaiti Cabinet decided to strip Al-Habib of his citizenship.
This matter put the Shia minority in the Persian Gulf states under heavy pressure and tension.
The leader’s Fatwa in condemning and prohibiting the insulting Aisha, was the newest and the highest-level reaction. Tens of great Shia clerics in Saudi Arabia, Iran and other Persian Gulf States condemned disdaining or insulting Hazrat Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Before this Hojjatol-Islam Sayyed Ali Fazlollah, the eldest son of Muhammad Hossain Fazlollah Had forbidden insolence against Hazrat Aisha in his talk with Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai.
The fatwa, neglected by western media and criticised by opponents of Muslim unity, was widely welcomed by Sunni Ulama and Arab media, especially Al Jazeera. This channel, in addition to broadcasting the news of Fatwa in different news programs, discussed ayatollah Khamenei’s Fatwa and its effect and role in the unity between different Islamic denominations in a program called “Behind The News”.
Muhammad Al-Bohrani, the Al Jazeera’s reporter in Tehran presented a book by Ayatollah Khamenei in a report and said: “Iran’s leader has insisted and emphasized the unity between Islamic sects so many times.”
He added: “Ayatollah Khamenei, in his newest Fatwa, has also forbade insulting Hazrat Aisha, the Prophet Muhammad’s wife and Islamic icons respected by Sunnis.”
He said: “Iran’s leader had issued Fatwas and allowed Shias to take part in a Prayer by a Sunni Imam in the past.”
The Fatwa was widely welcomed and discussed in Arab press and media such as Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anba,the popular Mohit website, Al-Safir in Lebanon, Al-Hayat in London and website of Egyptian Broadcasting. However the Al-Arabiya News, led by Saudi extremists, neglected the news and remained Silent.
Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei have both emphasized the importance of unity between Muslims.
Sayyidali.com
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