RNA – During his Friday prayer sermon delivered to a large and fervent crowd of believers in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala’s Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn, Hujjat al-Islam Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbala’i emphasized the need to preserve religious and sectarian unity and said, “Different religions and sects, although they have differences regarding some issues, but there are also commonalities among some of the principles and branches of religion.”
“Thus, all the followers of these religions and sects must respect each other, and place higher things, such as the preservation of national unity at the top of their agendas,” he added.
Referring to the narrations of the Infallibles, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani in Karbala added, “If mercy and kindness exists among the people, it will lead to them supporting each other and positive social movement in society.”
Hujjat al-Islam al-Karbala’i said, “Despite the array of religions and sects in the world, peaceful living between the people has become a necessity and a universal need so they have to learn peaceful ways of living together and avoiding violence and aggression.”
He continued, “Every human being has the right to defend his religion and sect but this defense must be in accordance with academic, wise and correct methods and be far from malice and hostility.”
The renowned Iraqi cleric warned against the spread of the Takfiri phenomenon and argued, “Some would call others ‘infidels’ as soon as differences in their religious beliefs and opinions are revealed and announce that shedding their blood is permissible.”
Hujjat al-Islam al-Karbala’i noted that Muslims should be aware of the transcendent Islamic and national interests in order not to place small religious, sectarian or ethnic affiliations at the forefront of their affairs.”
His Eminence said, “The people must observe the cultural, economic and social rights, all of which are considered as the rights of citizenship. In the perspective of the rights of citizenship, all human beings enjoy the same rights and must live together peacefully.”
In conclusion, Hujjat al-Islam al-Karbala’i criticized one of the major issues that seriously damages the peaceful lives of the people, saying, “Criticisms and oppositions must be given in an academic, correct and consistent manner with Islamic principles.”
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