President of Shi'a-led Iran calls for 'all Islamic faiths' to unite
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, President of Shi'a-led Iran calls for 'all Islamic faiths' to unite, 7 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be143c6.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 07, 2015
By RFE/RL
Iranian President Hassan Rohani has called for Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims to overcome differences that represent the largest and oldest division in the history of Islam.
Speaking in Tehran on January 7 at the start of the 28th International Conference on Islamic Unity, Rohani called for Muslims "of all Islamic faiths" to begin "practical cooperation" in order to reach unity and solidarity.
The president of Shi'a-dominated Iran said Muslims "cannot attain unity through words, slogans, and holding repeated gatherings and conferences on the issue."
He said Muslims must "practice recognizing different Islamic faiths as one single religion" from the time they start their school studies.
The conference comes amid intensified sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi'a from the Middle East to Pakistan.
Tensions have been exacerbated by the growth of the Sunni-led Islamic State militant group, which denounces Shi'a as heretics, traitors, and non-Muslims.
With reporting by IRNA
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
