Ayatollah al-Najafi emphasizes the expansion of relations between Iran and Iraq

Rasa – In a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Minister of Arab and African Affairs and Iran’s Consul-General in Najaf, Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi emphasized the importance of the expansion of relations between Iran and Iraq.

News ID: 431256

Date: 28 July 2017 - 19:43

RNA – Hoseyn Jaberi-Ansari, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Arab and African Affairs and Abdul-Rahim Sadatifar, Iran’s Consul-General in Najaf have met with Grand Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi, a source of emulation based in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.

During the meeting, Ayatollah al-Najafi said, “The Islamic world faces various threats and risks and the enemies have rallied against us. For this reason, Muslims must strengthen their unity by strengthening their relationship with God Almighty.”

He added, “Iraq and Iran should use all their capacities to increase communication and this is in the interest of both countries.”

Jaberi-Ansari also congratulated Ayatollah al-Najafi on recent victories by the Iraqi army and Popular Mobilization Forces against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist organization and said, “With the backing of the ‘obligatory jihad’ fatwa issued by the sources of emulation in Najaf, the Iraqi fighters defeated terrorism and gave hop to the world to eradicate terrorism.”

In June 2014 fatwa, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani issued a landmark fatwa in which he called on “all able-bodied Iraqis” to defend the country, its people, the honour of its citizens, and its sacred places after the capture of Mosul by Daesh forces.

In a separate meeting with Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar-Ali Husayn al-Layebi and his delegation, Ayatollah al-Najafi said, “The presence of my children at the forefront of the fight against terrorism and the achievement of the great victories has surprised and astonished the world and this has been a source of pleasure for us and we hope that officials will also take steps in this direction and make their slogan to serve the people and Iraq.”

“We know very well that people inside and outside of the country are trying to create sedition and tension in Iraq and prevent the activities of the authorities, so we must try to solve these problems and difficulties,” he said.

“We support all oil projects and activities that promote the industry, Iraq’s progress and protect our environment,” Ayatollah al-Najafi added.

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