Islamic unity is a Quranic strategy to confront Zionism, arrogance

Dr. Kelesh, in an exclusive interview with the Taghrib News Agency (TNA), regarding the place of Islamic unity, stated: "The issue of unity among Muslims is not merely a political or social matter, but has deep roots in the Holy Quran and is one of the fundamental requirements of Islamic society."

Referring to the verse "And hold fast to the rope of God all together and do not become divided," he added: "The Holy Quran calls Muslims to preserve cohesion and avoid division. On the other hand, it introduces believers as brothers to one another, and this brotherhood must also manifest itself in the social and political arena in the form of solidarity and unity."

This Turkish thinker, citing Quranic verses about the blessing of harmony among believers, noted: "A society that falls into dispersion and discord will become vulnerable to threats. In contrast, unity can provide the ground for preserving the power and dignity of the Islamic Ummah."

The discourse of unity; a legacy that continued after the Islamic Revolution

Kelesh, referring to the role of Imam Khomeini (RA) in the formation and expansion of the discourse of Islamic unity in the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated: "After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) turned the issue of Muslim unity into one of the important axes of his thought and policy – an approach that, from his perspective, drew a long-term horizon for the Islamic world."

He continued: "This view continued in the years after Imam Khomeini's (RA) passing, and the martyred Imam Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (RA) over the past decades has emphasized the necessity of bringing Islamic denominations closer, strengthening Muslim solidarity, and confronting divisive factors."

This Turkish researcher considered the continuous holding of International Islamic Unity Conferences in Iran as a sign of serious attention to this issue, and said: "The continuation of such meetings over four decades shows that the issue of unity remains one of the fundamental needs of the Islamic world."

Palestine; a test for the solidarity of the Islamic world

Kelesh further, considering the Palestinian issue as one of the most important arenas for the manifestation of Islamic unity, said: "In the messages and positions of the martyred Ayatollah Khamenei (RA) addressed to the pilgrims of the House of God, the issue of Palestine, Gaza, and the necessity of Muslim solidarity have held a special place."

He added: "Muslims, to effectively support the Palestinian people and confront the occupation and crimes of the Zionist regime, need convergence and unity more than ever."

This religious thinker, referring to the developments in Palestine, stated: "What is happening today in Gaza and the West Bank has made the necessity of cooperation and solidarity among Islamic countries and Muslim nations clearer than ever."

Confronting arrogance requires the cohesion of the Islamic Ummah

The former deputy head of Turkey's Supreme Council of Religious Affairs also, referring to the positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the Zionist regime and the system of domination, said: "Iran's steadfastness against Zionism and arrogance should be seen within the framework of the same discourse of resistance and independence that took shape after the Islamic Revolution."

He emphasized: "If Muslims seek liberation from the domination of the arrogant powers, they must move past differences and focus on their commonalities. Discord and dispersion reduce the capacity of the Islamic world, while unity can increase the collective power of Muslims."

Kelesh, referring to the continuation of the Zionist regime's crimes against Palestinians, stated: "The human tragedies in Gaza and other parts of Palestine show that the Palestinian issue remains one of the most important issues of the Islamic world, and one cannot be indifferent to it."

The role of women in transmitting the culture of unity to future generations

In another part of his remarks, this Islamic researcher, while emphasizing the important role of women in institutionalizing the culture of rapprochement and convergence in Islamic societies, referred to the status of women in Islamic teachings and said: "Islam, by emphasizing the rights and dignity of women, recognized their position in the family and society, and assigned them an important role in shaping future generations."

Kelesh added: "A significant part of the personality and attitudes of new generations is formed in the family environment, and women play a decisive role in this process. Therefore, mothers, by raising children based on respect, empathy, and the recognition of Islamic commonalities, can pave the way for the formation of a unity-oriented generation."

In conclusion, he emphasized: "Strengthening the culture of rapprochement among Islamic denominations is not limited to holding meetings and conferences. Rather, this culture must begin from the family and educational system and be transmitted to future generations."