The martyred Imam was a continuer of the path of the Prophet (PBUH) and did not deviate from this path until the moment of martyrdom

"Assadullah Mwale," the Mufti of Zambia, in an interview with the Taghrib News Agency (TNA), in response to the question of how the intellectual view of the martyred Imam contributed to redefining the concept of Islamic unity in light of contemporary challenges, stated: "This is the most important point. We keep alive the memory of the martyred Imam. That martyred Imam followed the same path that his noble grandfather, Muhammad (PBUH), followed – that great Prophet who never spoke out of whim, but rather what he expressed was divine revelation. This martyred Imam also followed the path of his grandfather and did not speak out of whim."

He added: "The martyred Ayatollah Khamenei never deviated from this path until the end of his blessed life and the moment of his martyrdom. The thought and intellect of the martyred Imam were in accordance with the word of God and the teachings of Islam and the Prophet (PBUH). The martyred leader did not differentiate or discriminate among Muslims, whether Shia or Sunni, and did not behave based on whether you are Shia or Sunni. 'You have your own denomination, but maintain unity.' The most important issue from the perspective of the martyred Imam was the issue of unity among the Islamic Ummah, and he always emphasized this important matter."

Assadullah Mwale stated: "The next point is the necessity of dialogue and understanding among all Muslims and their respect for each other's beliefs and denominations – that no Muslim should excommunicate another Muslim because of their views and beliefs. Everyone must respect one another and each other's thoughts."

The Mufti of Zambia, regarding the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policies under the leadership of the martyred Imam in bringing the views of Islamic countries closer together, said: "Yes, this is an important point that existed in the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the leadership of the martyred Imam. The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the necessity of unity and cohesion of the Islamic Ummah – that the children of Adam are members of one another and must respect one another."

He noted: "I compare the Islamic Republic of Iran to a mirror that all Muslims should adapt themselves to and take as a model. The mirror does not lie and shows the reality as it is."

Assadullah Mwale, in response to the question of what impact the martyred Imam's stances on confronting global arrogance had on Islamic unity and cohesion, stated: "The martyred Imam's stances on confronting global arrogance were based on the teachings of the Quran and his noble grandfather, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH)."

The Mufti of Zambia, in response to Taghrib's question of how much Islamic unity can help strengthen the power and cohesion of Islamic societies in light of the political and security challenges facing the Islamic world, and what the most important obstacles to realizing unity are, said: "Our criterion, indicator, and roadmap must be the Holy Quran. God says in the Quran: 'Victory from God and an imminent conquest' – meaning victory and help are from God, and of course, this victory is imminent and near. The martyred Imam Ayatollah Khamenei adhered to this approach in every situation."

In response to the question of what place confronting global arrogance and Zionism holds in the thought of the martyred Imam regarding Muslim unity, and whether confronting common threats can pave the way for greater convergence of Islamic countries, he said: "All the people of the world must hold fast to this path of the martyred Imam in confronting global arrogance and Zionism and take it as a model. The martyred Imam expressed only the words of God and never spoke of his own accord. Whatever the circumstances, his stance was constant and based on the Quran and Islam, and he maintained an independent and non-dependent approach in confronting global arrogance and Zionism."