Scholar: Religious, ideological differences fan flames political strife, differences in society

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and may God's blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure and pure family
Proximity among Islamic schools of thought, proximity in community of monotheists and proximity among common thoughts of all mankind are the most important issues, which are emphasized by the good doers, the community of religionists and mankind. They are among wishes of many cultural elites. The reason is that the religious and ideological differences and conflicts fan flames of other political strife and differences in society. This leads to social dispersion, while stirring social integrity, which will be exploited by opportunists and those who consider public differences to be in their favor. Neither religion nor defense of aspirations is their criteria. They do not even respect rights of human beings. Throughout history, i.e., before (Islamic) revolution (of Iran) and even early at the beginning of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stood up against those, who bent on sowing seeds of dissension and infiltrating among Muslims through hypocrisy. The prophet was prudent enough to prevent their plot and defuse their plans. There has been frequent reference to Zarar Mosque. Those hatching plots those times, used appropriate tools of time for the purpose. Those might be the ethnicity tools, religious or ideological tools, linguistic tools and differences in patois. The Quranic verse, may be in the Quranic Chapter `Bara’at’ (Disavowal), refers to construction of Masjid-e-Darar or the Mosque of Dissent. The mosque was initially built to be used for spread of monotheism and saying prayers. This mosque, which was the mosque of harm and dissent, was constructed to serve against another mosque, which was built on mercy, blessing, unity and call for humanity.
Then, the aim of building the (Quba) mosque was to be a place for divine revelation. Times later, there was a divine revelation in consequence of which Masjid-e-Darar was destroyed by fire because it was found to run against religion, God and prophet under the guise of monotheism. God himself stepped in and ordered demolition of the base and end to hypocrisy. Same happened at the time of infallible Imams. There were certain people, i.e., hypocrites and others, who tried to use differences and different versions of religion and ideas in their own favor. At the same time, religious dignitaries tried to prevent differences and discord, always supporting integrity of Muslim Ummah. Once Hazrat Sajjad (AS), the fourth Imam, was asked about Jihad (Holy war) and fighting with the banner of a group of rulers, who were not legitimate and ruled under the guise of Islam. The infallible Imam (AS) permitted taking part in such wars against pagans on the justification that any avoidance to participate in the wars is feared to result in fall of Islam and spoiling of Prophet’s (PBUH) achievements. Therefore, the priority has always been preserving Islam, mankind and monotheism. The need for unity still persists at the age of occultation of the “Imam of Age” (AS). Of course, “unity” does not mean sacrificing our beliefs, ideology and absolutes. We have the mission to adhere to a set of principles and defend them so as to preserve Islam, religion, and monotheism and defend humanity. After Islamic Revolution, led by the late Imam, who assumed social leadership along with his companions and other dignitaries, and now having great Ayatollah Khamenei as the leader, the need for unity is still felt.
In this connection, the benedicts and our good friends and dignitaries like the late Ayatollah Taskhiri and other friends have made a great deal of contribution within framework of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought. Furthermore, benedicts and personalities have toured to different destinations inside the country and overseas. On the other hand, Islamic and other personalities from other countries have travelled Islamic Republic of Iran. What is important now is proximity and getting closer. This is very important when people far apart. They fail to exchange views properly and frankly. Such a way of information exchanges is feared to cause false interpretations, misunderstanding and misconception, resulting in hypocrisy, dispersion and dissection. Peaceful coexistence, proximity, peaceful exchange of views, dialogue, positive arguments, discussions and smooth and prejudice-free opinion exchanges are of high importance. Of course, I have lots to say in this connection and I am ready to present them, if needed, when meeting and talking to you. If no, I will suffice to what I have presented now.
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings be upon you.