RNA – This week, Ayatollah Ali-Reza Arafi began his position as the new Friday prayer leader of Qom and led the weekly congregational prayers at the Holy Shrine of Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah.
In his sermon, he discussed the Western plots to spread Islamophobia and the recently-published offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in France.
Ayatollah Arafi stated that we are witnessing a new wave of Islamophobia in the West. He emphasized that the West seeks to sow dissension between Muslims and does this by creating and supporting terrorist groups, as evidenced by the growth of the Takfiri phenomenon. Because of their fear of true Islam, the enemies always seek to divide Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims and promote dissention amongst them. “Thus, we need to be vigilant of their aims,” he said.
Ayatollah Arafi stated that the Takfiri phenomenon has been created by Western governments because they seek to frighten people away from Islam, saying that the flag of Islam has been raised high. By supporting these illogical Takfiri groups, they can sow the seeds of Islamophobia and invoke a violent and filthy image of Islam and show a wholesome image of the Zionist regime to the world. They seek to keep themselves secure and thus they attack and insult the sanctities of Islam.
The president of al-Mustafa International University emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns any acts offensive to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S). Speaking on the noble character the Prophet Muhammad (S), Ayatollah Arafi stated the Prophet (S) was a perfect and complete role model for all human beings to follow. He is the greatest human being in all of creation.
In response to the recently published cartoons in the now-infamous French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, Ayatollah Arafi stated: “We urge the United Nations to take a stand in regards to this incident and protect the laws in respect to religious rights. The Pope’s position was relatively positive, but it was not enough.”
The renowned scholar stated that the people of the world, especially Europe, should not be deceived by the plots and schemes of the enemies. “Our movement is a movement of resistance and logic – Muslims should not be indifferent to the tragic events occurring in Palestine and Bahrain. The nations should wake up!” he said.
In response to the often repeated allegation that Islam was spread by the sword, Ayatollah Arafi that the expansion of the Islamic empire took place with 25 years but this was not done with noble aims, and thus we invite everyone is study the approach, thought and legacy of the Noble Prophet (S).
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