It is regrettable that Muslim intellectuals...

It is regrettable that Muslim intellectuals, who should write and make efforts to promote Muslim dignity and to raise the flag of Islam, go after issues that may create discord. It is regrettable that they write and make efforts to foment discord and pitch Muslims against each other. It is regrettable that they level accusations against different people and try to push people out of religion.

In this regard, religious scholars have a heavy responsibility to create unity and to fulfill the requirements that are necessary for unity. This responsibility is not limited to religious scholars of one side of the conflict, rather religious scholars of both sides of the conflict are responsible. Brothers and sisters, sometimes in order to foment discord among both Shia and Sunni people, the enemy uses individuals who bear no grudges.

Sometimes in a Shia society a move is made that provokes non-Shia Muslims. The same thing is sometimes done in Sunni societies, which provokes Shia Muslims and fills them with hatred. Who is doing these things? Today all Muslims are faced with the same enemy. However, in an Islamic society we also share the same Book, the same Sunnah, the same Prophet (S), the same Qiblah, the same Ka’bah, the same hajj rituals, the same kinds of worship and the same set of ideological principles.

Of course, there are disagreements among us as well. Scholarly differences of opinion might exist between any two scholars. Moreover, the world of Islam is faced with the same enemy. The issue of Muslim unity is a serious issue. This issue should be treated seriously. Any day that Muslim unity is delayed, the world of Islam has fallen one day behind, and there are certain days that are so important that they affect one’s entire life. You must not let it become too late.

By Allah’s grace, the Islamic Republic has been moving in this direction since the first day. Our magnanimous Imam (may God bestow paradise on him) was the leader on this path and different luminaries, government officials, speakers, writers and organizations throughout the world of Islam also made a lot of efforts. Do not let these efforts go to waste.

I hope Allah the Exalted makes our steps firm, guides our hearts, helps us join hands in unity and brings our hearts closer to each other.[^1] Mab’ath: The Day on which the most noble concepts and values were Born The day on which the Holy Prophet’s (S) Be’that took place is definitely the greatest day in the history of mankind.