Fomenting Muslim Disunity, Hegemonic Powers’ Major Policy: Leader
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei warned against enemy plots to spread discord and disunity among Muslims, and called on Shiites and Sunnis to boost unity to thwart the plots.
"Today, you can see that one of the main policies of the hegemonic powers is (fomenting) discord in the Islamic world," Imam Khamenei said Thursday, in an address to a ceremony marking the 26th anniversary of the demise of Imam Khomeini (RA), the late founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini south of Tehran with the participation of people from across the country, high-ranking Iranian officials and foreign guests and ambassadors.
In his address, the Supreme Leader elaborated on some of Imam Khomeini's principles and fundamental approaches, and said that one of the late Imam's principles was the necessity for countering conspiracies aimed at dividing Muslims.
Ayatollah Khamenei then urged Muslims, both Shiite and Sunni, to strive to enhance unity and stay vigilant against the plots of the enemies, who seek discord in the Muslim world.
In similar remarks back on May 18, the Leader deplored any conflict between Shiite and Sunni Muslims, and explained that a person who fights against Shiites under the guise of support for Sunnis is indeed not interested in Sunnism or Islam, and a Shiite Muslim who fans the flames of zeal against Sunnis has no motivation to respect religion, either.
Elsewhere in his Thursday address at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to standing up against the world's hegemonic powers as another one of Imam Khomeini's principles, saying that the late Imam was openly against the bullying powers and sided with the oppressed.
The Leader highlighted Imam Khomeini's unreserved support for the people of Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Palestine and said the Islamic Republic continues to support the oppressed against oppressors.
"Wherever there is oppression… we side with the oppressed and oppose the oppressor. Just as we are opposed to the savage and oppressive behavior of the ISIL current in Iraq and Syria, we are also against the repressive behavior of the United States' federal police in their country."
Ayatollah Khamenei added that Iran opposes the cruel blockade of Gaza just as it opposes the bombings against the oppressed and defenseless people of Yemen, the restrictions imposed on the people of Bahrain and the US drone attacks against people in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Leader further reiterated that the issue of Palestine is the main issue for the Islamic Republic and that Iran's support for the Palestinian people will continue.
