Saif Ali Budgami:

Kashmir hosts renowned Iranian Sunni scholars for the first time ‎

Ehsaas International, an international social organization, hosted a delegation ‎of Shi’ah and ‎Sunni scholars from Iran who held a conference ‎entitled “Bridging the Gap” ‎in Srinagar, ‎Kashmir.‎

News ID: 445550

Date: 22 June 2019 - 18:08

RNA – In an exclusive discussion with Rasa News Agency, Saif Ali Budgami said that on June ‎‎21st, Ehsaas International, an international social organization, hosted a cooperative ‎delegation of Shi’ah and Sunni Muslim scholars from the Islamic Republic of Iran who held a ‎conference entitled “Bridging the Gap” at the Institute of Hotel Management in Srinagar, ‎Indian-occupied Kashmir. The conference was attended by leading Shi’ah and Sunni ‎intellectuals of the Kashmir Valley. ‎
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The “Bridging the Gap” conference was set to instil the idea of living together with similarities ‎and differences and highlight the culture of brotherhood and fraternity. ‎
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The guest of honour, Shaykh Ramin Gourchaei, a Sunni scholar from the Islamic Republic of ‎Iran, spoke the conference, saying, “I found the people of Kashmir capable of being united, ‎faithful and more Islamic. Unity is not difficult thing here. It is heavenly gift from God ‎Almighty and I saw the people of Kashmir enjoying this gift. The fruits of unity are visible in ‎Iran. It was only through unity and religious harmony that Iran became strong and we all ‎must accomplish this. The enemies are not scared of any weapon. They are technically more ‎powerful than us but what scares them is Muslim unity.”‎
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It’s essential to mention that the Kashmir valley witnessed a visit by Sunni Iranian scholars ‎for the very first time. The first visit of Sunni scholars has deepened and strengthened the ‎roots of unity in the valley. ‎

Hujjat al-Islam Mahdi Moshayedi, an Iranian Shi’ah scholar added, “We must be with the ‎vision of unity in humanity but unfortunately we are unable to be united among ourselves. ‎How do we speak of interreligious unity? People believe if we become united with one ‎another we will have to surrender our basic beliefs and fundamentals but it’s all the opposite. ‎Unity isn’t to surrender or shun our basics but living with them and accompanying other sects ‎as well.”‎
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The conference was concluded with an analytical debate and discussion between Kashmiri ‎scholars and intellectuals and Iranian Sunni and Shi’ah scholars on obstacles on the path of ‎unity. The delegation visited many cities of the Kashmir Valley and addressed both Shi’ahs ‎and Sunnis in gatherings. They instilled the spirit of unity and brotherhood in the people. ‎
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The delegation pledged to keep no stone unturned in seeding and harvesting the fruits of ‎unity and desired to continue this process of inviting groups and delegations of Shi’ahs and ‎Sunnis from Iran.

Rasa News Agency

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