RNA – Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi-Amoli has met with members of Tehran’s Jewish Committee at International Foundation for Revelation Studies in Qom.
The revered Shi’ite Muslim source of emulation told the Iranian Jewish community that the existence of different religions in the world is natural. He stated that in the afterlife, the truth will become evident and everyone will go towards the same path. In this world, we will see always a plurality of religions but religious leaders must also focus on unity.
He pointed to the story of the Golden Calf mentioned in the Holy Quran, saying the Quran states that Moses said to Aaron, “Oh Aaron! What kept you, when you saw them going astray?” [20:92] Aaron replied: “I was afraid that you might consider me responsible for causing discord among the children of Israel and would not pay attention to my words” [20:94]
“From this verse it becomes clear that sometimes man must have patience to protect unity. This principle is present in all religions. There must be a ‘manager’ [God] who is in control of all affairs to protect its unity,” Ayatollah Javad-Amoli stated.
The renowned interpreter of the Holy Quran spoke of the similarities between the Abrahamic religions and mentioned that the Quran says in regard to the prophets of God: “He has sent down to you the Book with the truth, confirming what was [revealed] before it, and He had sent down the Torah and the Gospel.” [3:3]
From this verse we realize that all the prophets had a common mission and that all religions also have one common principle. The prophets stated that all humans should believe that we are eternal beings and even with death, we will remain because man is an eternal being.
Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli said all religions tell us that pride is our greatest internal enemy and our greatest external enemy is the devil who’s only aim is to destroy our reputation and honour. “There are no differences in the basic principles of all religions except differences in law and approach. This should be taken into consideration,” he stated.
At the end of the meeting, His Eminence expressed hope that Iran’s Jewish community is respectable and honourable and that Iran’s religious minorities, like the majority of monotheistic religions, can coexist in peace until the return of their promised Messiah.
For his part, Dr Homayoun Samehyah, the president of the Jewish Committee, stated that the chief purpose of the meeting with Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli was to offer their appreciation to the Iranian authorities for their support of religious minorities, especially the Jewish community. He explained that the Jewish community has always felt safe in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Dr Sameh-Yah added: “As we always have said, we consider Judaism and Zionism as separate. We stand with all the people against the crimes of the usurper regime of Israel and we condemn them. We will always stand together in sympathy with the system of the Islamic Republic.”
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