Speaker Calls for Unity among Muslim Countries

RNA - "Hajj provides a good opportunity for more unity and solidarity among all Muslims," Larijani said on Sunday in his congratulatory message to his Muslim counterparts on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, which marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage.

Noting that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought to strengthen unity, brotherhood and cooperation among the Islamic countries since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Larijani expressed the Iranian Parliament’s readiness to strengthen cooperation among Islamic countries, wishing the parliament speakers of the Islamic countries a happy Eid and well-being.

The Iranian Parliament “supports all constructive steps to strengthen multilateral cooperation, including parliamentary ties, between all Muslim countries,” the top lawmaker added.

Larijani also called on all Muslims to unite in a bid to prevent chaos in their countries.

The momentous religious occasion of Eid al-Adha (Feat of Sacrifice), which is marked in honor of the Islamic imperative of self-abnegation, falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah on the lunar calendar every year.

It commemorates Prophet Abraham’s acknowledging a divine order upon him to sacrifice his son. Upon submitting to God’s will, Ibrahim was exempted from performing the order and was offered a ram to sacrifice instead.

Iranians are celebrating the occasion on Monday, while in some other Muslim countries the celebrations began a day earlier and people marked the historical development by holding festive congregations at mosques and other religious centers and will continue to do so over the next few days. They also sacrifice livestock so they can offer votive food to the poor and their fellow Muslims.

The occasion also forms the high point of ongoing Hajj rituals, which are being observed by Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. They, too, are religiously mandated to perform the sacrifice and distribute offerings among the needy.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani sent out separate congratulatory messages to international Muslims leaders on the occasion.

He took the opportunity to express hope that the world’s Muslim authorities will be able to reinforce unity throughout the Muslim world in order to confront terrorism as well as the unilateralism and imperialistic practices of international hegemonic rulers.

On Saturday, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, in a message to the great congregation of pilgrims to this year’s edition of Hajj rituals, called upon Muslims to take advantage of the event to promote awareness against the harms of the so-called Deal of the Century for Palestinians.

“The ploy of Deal of the Century prepared by the oppressive US, and its treasonous cohorts, is a crime against human society, and not just the Palestinian nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, in his message, on the advent of the start of the Hajj rituals of this year.

“We are inviting everyone to actively participate in overcoming this deception by the enemy, and with the power and help of God, we consider this and all other ruses by the arrogant front doomed to failure against the efforts, and faith of the Resistance front,” the Leader underlined.

“Today, one of the most important issues of the Muslim world is Palestine, which is at the top of Muslims’ political issues, regardless of their school of thought, race, and language,” he stressed.

“The greatest injustice in recent history has happened in Palestine. In this painful affair, all that a nation had—their land, homes, farms, belongings, dignity, and identity—was confiscated. With God’s assistance, this nation has not surrendered to defeat, and has not given up, and today, they are on the battlefields more enthusiastic, and braver than yesterday. But the ultimate outcome requires assistance from all Muslims,” Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted.

Last month, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that remarks by Hezbollah Chief Seyed Hassan Nasrallah about saying prayers at Beit al-Muqaddas is a completely achievable goal.

"That Mr. Seyed Hassan Nasrallah says 'I will pray at Masjid al-Aqsa (Al-Aqsa mosque), God willing,' is an absolutely practical and achievable aspiration for us. If we all act upon our duties, the divine promise will definitely come true," Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with a Palestinian delegation headed by Saleh al-Arouri, the Deputy Chairman of the politburo of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Tehran on July 22.

"The victory of the people of Palestine and the return of this holy land to the World of Islam is not a strange and unattainable matter. 40 years ago no one could believe that in Iran — which was the center of US's influence and aspirations — a religious government would emerge and the Israeli embassy in Tehran turn into Palestine’s embassy," he added.

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