RNA – In a meeting with a group of French researchers at Qom, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi stated that Islam is a religion of love and friendship and that in the Holy Quran, God has defined the features of the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims.
The revered source of emulation added that more than 200 years ago, Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab created a new ideology based on violence and some non-Islamic governments thought that by using this ideology, they could create discord among Muslims.
He said that Wahhabism is alien to the teachings of Islam and the clear religion of Islam negates this ideology, adding: “Today we are witnesses that this group has made the world unsafe and some non-Islamic governments have assumed that by using these groups [to fulfill their goals], insecurity will be limited to Islamic countries."
"But we have seen that insecurity has also been exported to Europe and [North] America and in the future there will be even greater insecurity,” he added.
Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi also stated that many European and [North] American citizens have joined ISIL and stressed that European officials know what will happen when these people return to their home countries.
His Eminence noted: “We believe that European teachers and scholars will play a significant role in the enlightenment of young Europeans and if they are not serious about creating a resolution in the world, the problems in regard to this group will not be resolved.”
The eminent scholar said that we do not consider those who adhere to the Takfiri ideology as Muslims and we regret that due to the behaviour of those who are not Muslims, Islamophobia has intensified in Europe.
“Unfortunately, some Western politicians consider the growth of Takfirism as being in their interests and have forgotten the interests of their own countries by supporting this group,” he said.
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