Report on achievements reached in the area of Islamic unity

Today, the Islamic Revolution of Iran, despite the overwhelming outcry of global arrogance and unfair sanctions, is at the heart of freedom seekers across the world and every day its progress and magnitude increases, so the progress of Islamic Iran over the course of these four decades is undefinable; briefing on these achievements in the society brings the wave of hope and resistance among people against the plots hatched by enemies.

Given that, in the below report, the achievements of the Islamic Revolution during past forty years in the area of "Islamic Unity" are presented as follows:

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the first system, after the one formed in the early days of Islam, which has promoted unity among Islamic sects and denominations and adhered to unity related principles over these 40 years.

At the beginning of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the late Imam Khomeini (RA), in answering to the question of the Shiite or Islamic nature of the Iranian revolution, said, "Our revolution is Islamic." Sunnis brothers did not hesitate to try to protect the achievements of the Islamic Revolution, a typical example of which was the active participation in the war fronts during the holy defense of their Shiite brothers.

After the Islamic Movement started by Imam Khomeini (RA), Sunni people supported his struggles. Senior clerics' (from Sistan and southern Khorasan) declaration of cooperation with the late founder of Islamic Revolution has been recorded in the history. Among the most prominent examples of Sunni solidarity with the revolutionaries we can refer to the sincere cooperation of Sunni brothers from Iranshahr during the exile of Ayatollah Khamenei (the most prominent revolutionary fighter) and as the supreme leader stressed, "I did not feel homesick".

Islamic unity in the foundations of the Islamic Republic is neither a tactic and temporary means for achieving goals nor a strategy; it is beyond the strategy and has been held as the doctrine of the Islamic Revolution since day one.

In order to delineate and internalize the doctrine of unity in the country and throughout the world of Islam, the Islamic Republic of Iran has established and set up various forums, congresses, conferences, institutions, foundations, organizations and universities that have been unprecedented and unique by nature.

Establishment of the World Forum for Proximity of the Islamic Schools of Thought, University of Islamic Religions and Denominations, unity and rapprochement research centers including Dar al-'Alam al-Islamiyah, International Congress against Takfir, and the Council for the preparing syllabus and curriculum for Sunni seminaries. Holding gathering attended by university students in the world of Islam, Islamic unity conference in different times, Conference on Ahlul-Bayt (AS) lovers, and mounting Intel. Quran contest are of programs advanced in this Islamic system.

In this massive storms of conspiracies and schemes hatched by the world of Arrogance which all target Muslims' unity and seek ways to increase dispersion among Shiite and Sunnis, , the Islamic Republic of Iran did not abandon the theory of unity and has been the pioneer of Islamic unity in the world of Islam to date.

Despite the religious differences between Shiite and Sunni, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, many Sunni and Shia scholars made strenuous attempt to promote unity and some have been martyred in defending it.

After the Islamic Revolution, Shiite and Sunni blood has been blended to defend Islam (Palestine, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina ...). Martyrdom of Shiite youth in defending the holy idea of Quds and Palestine as well as the martyrdom of Sunni youth in defending the holy shrines of Ahlalbayt has been the apex of the unity theory realization.

Throughout the history of Islam, friendship, affection and love among the Sunni and Shi'a scholars, as it now exists, has been without precedent.

The constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran itself is a unity charter, which proves the practical commitment of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the unity theory.

All human, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the followers of Islamic religions are respected based on Islamic principles. (According to the 19th and 20th principles of the constitution)

By order of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution based on providing scientific and welfare services to all the seminaries including Sunnis and Shiites, the formation of a council for planning syllabuses and curriculums for Sunnis seminaries in the center and Sunni areas has created coherence, discipline and solidarity as well as update of the schedule for giving services to these seminaries.

To address the concerns of Sunnis religious scholars, Service Center of the Seminary throughout the country has provided all Sunni scholars with welfare services. These include life insurance services, supplementary insurance, bank lending, marriage loans, Umrah quotas, assuring the livelihoods for married seminary students, equipping schools with computers and libraries, tuition fees for teachers and seminary students, and tuition fees for families of the deceased.

Students from Sunni religious schools are granted scholarships and a graduate certificate is granted to graduates.

Before the revolution, the number of Sunni scholars employed was about 3,000, but currently about 11,000 Sunni religious scholars study in the country.

Increasing the number of Sunni religious schools, after the triumph of revolution, from 100 religious schools across the country to about 358 schools indicates the Islamic Republic's efforts to strengthen the process of promoting the Sunni religious sciences.

Before the Revolution, the Friday prayers and festivals in Sunni communities did not officially take place, but after the Islamic Revolution various Friday prayers and festivities, throughout the Sunni areas, are held and marked.

The number of mosques in Sunni communities has increased dramatically. Before the Revolution, there were roughly 4,000 mosques for Sunnis, but now this number increases to 17,000 mosques throughout the country; in other word, there is a mosque for every 500 Sunni brothers.

Freedom of forming parties, communities, political and Islamic associations is recognized, based on the article No. 26 in the constitution, as the legal and official right.

According to Article 64 of the Constitution, Sunnis like other fellow citizens have the right to attend the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and now they have 20 representatives in it.

In accordance with Articles 3 and 8 from Chapter 5 of the election law of Assembly of Experts, Sunni scholars in the country can have their part in choosing the leadership of Supreme leader.

Some 90 percent of the members of the dissolution council has been selected from Sunni religious authorities in Sunni areas.

A number of Sunni brothers graduated in law have been employed by the judiciary and serve in courts as prosecutors, interrogators, and judges.

In courts located in Sunni areas, personal matters (marriage, divorce, inheritance, and will), and lawsuits related to the formation and activity of the councils of the clergy and the Sunni Fatwas, are judged on the basis of Sunni jurisprudential principles.

Establishment of Provincial Radio and Television Networks and coverage of indigenous and local needs (Airing Azan, local hymns and covering folk celebrations and Quranic ceremonies and so on and so forth) are of actions in the Islamic Republic of Iran which are done in Shiite areas.
In accordance with Article number 12 of the constitution, and with the serious efforts of the officials of the Islamic Republic, not only isn't there any obstacle to the teaching of the religious sciences of the Sunni brothers, but it has been tried to provide the necessary facilities for the study of religious sciences for Sunni brothers. A quick glance at comparative statistics on the establishment of seminaries in different parts of the Sunni areas can be a clear explanation. As far as in some provinces, the number of Sunni religious schools fits the population of the region, which is several times more than Shia seminaries.

The qualitative development of the seminaries has led many Sunni compatriots from different parts of the country, and even from Afghanistan and Pakistan's Baluchistan to visit religious centers in Sunni areas and study religious sciences there. At present, the highest religious levels are taught in Sunnis seminaries in Sistan and Baluchistan.

Before the Islamic Revolution, the training of Iranian Sunni clerics was upon the seminaries outside of the country, but today Iranian Sunni seminaries have not only become independent, but have also offered courses to non-Iranian scholars.

The presence of Shiite and Sunni scholars, from different countries across the world, at the University of Al-Mustafa and the University of Islamic Religions and Denominations are of manifestations of unity in Iran.

While in many countries the sermons and the theme of the speeches delivered by Friday Imams should be determined by the governments, there is no order in Iran to control the content of these sermons.

In 2007, with the approval of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, the Council for Planning the curriculum of Sunnis Religious Schools was formed under the supervision of the Council of Representatives to meet the cultural and educational needs of the Sunni people, especially the scholars and clerics; of its goals were educating the committed scholars, responding to the religious needs of the Sunni community and organizing the Educational and cultural affairs as well as promoting the culture of unity, solidarity and rapprochement in the world of Islam. The council also seek ways to boost Islamic the quality of Sunnis religious schools, and now, has 9 official Sunni scholars from different parts of the country who all have direct votes in making decisions.

With the formation of this council and the activities advanced by its secretariat in Tehran and other provinces, there are now more than 358 religious school and 11,000 students; it is noteworthy that more than 2,000 official certificate have been issued _ ranging from 1 to 4, i.e. from a post diploma to doctorate to Ph.D. _for Sunni students and clerics and all the welfare services have been provided by the Secretariat.

Cultural activities have also been carried out in Sunni areas, and about 17,000 Sunni mosques have been included in this program; some cultural programs have been advanced for reinforcing the Islamic unity and promoting unity related teachings. Of those we can refer to contests of Memorization and Recitation holy Quran.

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the distribution of positions and responsibilities is not based entirely on ethnic and religious distinctions, and people can take all positions in the country through an empowered Shiite and Sunni democratic process. Based on this process, many of the country's positions are offered to people in Sunni areas.

At present, the massive attendance of Sunnis brothers in the military, law enforcement, intelligence and security centers in the country indicates the standing trust among Shiites and Sunnis.

There is no limit to Sunni people in terms of recruiting in state institutions and agencies; as many Sunni brothers have urban and provincial responsibility in the Sunni areas.

Regarding recruiting in state institutions and agencies, there is no limit for Sunni people as many Sunni brothers, in the Sunni areas, have been appointed urban and provincial positions.

Many Sunni brothers and sisters have been appointed, by people's vote, as the town's and provinces' governor as well as mayor in Sunni areas.

The presence of 75 percent of Sunni people in presidential election in Iran indicates their trust to the system and their role in determining the country's destiny.

The presence of Sunnis along with Shiites in all scenes of defending the Islamic Revolution (marches, confronting threats, declaring domestic and international stances ...) is a sign of solidarity and manifestations of Shia and Sunni unity in the country.

To confront Islamic revolution and its values and objectives in unity area, the United States and Britain raised the flag of division; Dozens of radio channels have been launched in different languages; they aimed at Muslims' unity but the slightest change has not been observed in the stance and policy of Islamic Republic of Iran.

The United States and Britain formed groups of mercenaries and terrorists into the Ummah, parting thousands of Shiite communities by the so called motte of "Defending Sunni". But the Islamic system severs any possible tie between these crimes and Sunni people, inviting Shiite and Sunnis to battle these groups. The great triumphs in the world of Islam are the fruits of unity among Shiite and Sunnis and their sacrifices.

The Islamic Republic was the main factor behind the widespread defeat of arrogance in their attempts to disintegrate Islamic countries.

Islamic unity as well as religious and peaceful coexistence of Muslims have been one of the priorities of the Islamic Republic and the main concerns of its authorities.

The presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran's advisors in the Muslim countries in the region (Syria and Iraq, etc.) has foiled the plots and counteracted the interference of arrogant countries and their willful attempts aiming at unity.

Lebanese fighters following the ideals of the Islamic Revolution made Israeli-American gunmen flee from Lebanon scandalously.

The Islamic resistance movement in Iraq defeated the aggressive US army and forced them to leave the country.

Over the past forty years, all the US hatched schemes against Palestinians have all failed with no exceptions; on the contrary, Islamic revolutionary policies have been realized and have progressed towards the set ultimate goals.

All the conspiracies of arrogant, with the US leadership, to overthrow the Syrian government with the intervention and support of the Islamic Republic of Iran have been failed.

Strategic mistakes of some the Palestinian movements did not make Iranian people waver in supporting the Palestinian resistance, and this stance led to the correction of these mistakes and their return to the unity movement.

The Islamic Revolution has foiled the plots hatched by American and the regime of Zionism by destroying ISIL which aim at creating divisions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

With proper planning, the Islamic revolution prevented the breakdown of Iraq and resisted all arrogant conspiracies.

More than 11,000 Sunni martyrs, in particular 100 of those were unity activists, clearly indicates that Sunni people were not deceived by willful measures of enemies.

The enemies of Islamic unity have been launching sites and satellite networks (such as Vesal, Kalameh, ...) and various virtual networks for advancing their sinister purposes. In contrast, Islamic Revolution has set up various satellite, virtual sites and networks to counteract divisive plans.

To counteract willful measures and foil plots aiming at unity among Muslims, the Islamic Revolution set a week and named it the "week of unity", holding various programs to mark this occasion. Of those, we can refer to the Islamic Unity conference which provides the ground for the formation of an organized relationship between the authorities, the clerics and the elite in the World of Islam.

To defend Sunni brothers in Palestine and ease the way for them to gain independence and res restitution of the territorial integrity, on the orders of Imam Khomeini (RA), the last Friday of the month of Ramadan was set as the Qods Day.

In Hajj ritual, for promoting unity among Muslims against the enemies, special ceremonies are held.

The plots hatched by the US and the world of arrogance could not cause any impediment to adherence of Iranian officials to the Islamic Unity Theory. The Islamic Revolution did not related willful measures _ the formation of anti-unity terrorist groups such as the Taliban, ISIL and massive massacres of Shiites as well as bombing operations in the shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH)_ to Sunni people; the system unmask the real faces, the world of arrogant and extremist Sunni groups, behind the crimes.

In support of the practical realization of unity among followers of the Islamic religions, despite the extremism in the Islamic world, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has sanctioned and denounced any insult to Sunni symbols.

Sunni brothers have active role in Basij Resistance Force to preserve and promote Islamic unity and spare no effort in defending divine Islam; to combat DAESH, they have joined forces of Shrine defenders, and so far about 30 of them have been martyred.

Of the achievements of the Islamic Revolution, we can refer to the formation of a resistance force of the Islamic world, such as the mobilization of the oppressed people in Iran and the Hades al-Sha'abi in Iraq, ... consists of Shia and Sunni Muslim youths together to confront the enemies of Islam.

In the distribution of the country's resources, including infrastructure budgets, educational facilities, health services and welfare between the Shiite and Sunni areas, Sunnis were treated justly.

The services of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Sunni areas have been offered justly

Roads as infrastructures for progress are one of the issues that have been neglected in Sunni Provinces in the pre-revolutionary period, but now there is a 1000-fold growth in this area.

Thanks to the fair approach in the Islamic Revolution, electricity has been provided for an average of over 100% of the villages in the Sunni areas of the country.

Another index of development is natural gas pipelines to urban and rural areas. Only Kurdistan province, with 6.99% of natural gas, can be mentioned as the third largest province in this arena.

Sunni areas in the healthcare sector have been very much taken into consideration, with health centers growing at a rate of 700 percent, hospitals growing at a rate of 250 percent, and the number of doctors with a growth of 850 percent. So far, many rural clinics have been built.

Infrastructure of roads, sea, railways and air, shipbuilding industries, and the existence of boundaries and border markets are other capacities in Sunni Provinces that have formed after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

In the Sunni areas, like other provinces, most roads to the villages are paved. Also, the development of educational, cultural and academic centers accept applicants from all parts of the world, we can for instance, refer to the academic centers of Chabahar.

Constructing houses in deprived areas is one of the programs in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is intensively pursued in the border areas of the Sunnis.

Supporting low income people in Sunni areas, fairly compared to Shi'ite provinces, through various ways like monthly payments to low income families, Support for home-based businesses and female headed households, paying loans, sponsoring students, providing dowry for the bride.

Holding teacher training courses for Sunni and Shiite instructors in Shiite areas shows the kindness, affection and trust between followers of the two sects of Shiism and Sunnis.

According to the statistics of the modernization, development and equipping of Sistan and Baluchistan schools, there are now three thousand and 200 schools including 15,450 classes. The presence of more than 80,000 students with 40 higher education institutions reflects the Islamic Republic's efforts to spread knowledge in ethnic areas.

The development of sports, educational, cultural and academic spaces is one of the priorities in the Islamic system.

Currently, Kurdistan province _with 37 academic educational department_ have more than 65 thousand students in more than 250 fields of study (This is about four and a half percent of the province's population). In the pre-revolutionary period, only 29 percent of the province's population enjoyed literacy, while literacy rates in the region stands at 90 percent right now.

According to statistics released by the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance last year, some 152 publications and press and news agencies in the country have been licensed with the Sunni Director.

/SR