The role of the martyred leader in the unity of the Islamic Ummah

"Ahmad al-Asi," Head of the Religious Affairs Department of the Alawite Islamic Council of Lebanon, in an interview with the Taghrib News Agency (TNA), regarding the redefinition of the concept of Islamic unity in the face of contemporary challenges from the perspective of the martyred leader, stated: "Certainly, the statements and speeches of the martyred Imam, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, have played a great role in improving the Islamic situation and creating a purposeful Islamic atmosphere for specific issues, for example, the issue of Palestine as the central and pivotal issue of the Islamic Ummah."

"This is one of the great achievements in which the Islamic Revolution of Iran in general, and the statements of the martyred Imam and many of the concepts within them, have played a role. The martyred Imam always emphasized that what should prevail in the Islamic Ummah is the issue of Muslim unity, which should serve as a strong fortress for them against the enemies of the Ummah and the enemies of Islam."

Regarding strengthening the power and cohesion of Islamic societies in facing political and security challenges in light of the unity of the Islamic Ummah, he noted: "The enemies of the Islamic Ummah rely on the principle of 'divide and rule' and the principle of creating discord among the Islamic Ummah, and Islamic unity is the guarantor of neutralizing this conspiracy. Islamic unity is the guarantor of preserving the capabilities and resources of the Islamic Ummah. When the Islamic Ummah practically becomes a unified and cohesive Ummah, these capabilities and resources will also be preserved."

Ahmad al-Asi stated: "It is no secret to anyone that the Islamic Ummah enjoys the blessing of great capabilities and resources in terms of human resources, natural resources, intelligence, talent, experience, and hidden wealth in Islamic countries. If unity is realized and institutionalized in the hearts and souls of Muslims, all these capabilities will be used to repel any aggression against the Islamic Ummah, defend against aggressors, and consolidate and establish a new reality, in which case, with God's help, victory will belong to the Islamic Ummah."

This Lebanese scholar, regarding foreign policies and cooperation among Islamic countries and the means to bring their views closer, said: "Rapprochement and bringing views closer together is possible through searching for and finding common points. When these countries move based on searching for common points among themselves and avoiding points of disagreement. Of course, we do not deny that there are many differences in the views of Islamic countries with each other, but at the same time, there are many common points among these countries. Each country has its own interests, goals, and characteristics, but what is important is that we seek common points and support these commonalities in the path of the complete progress of the Islamic Ummah."

Regarding how to prevent religious and ethnic divisions through the formulation of programs and plans based on shared values among Muslims, he stated: "This is possible through returning to a correct understanding of Islam, returning to the fundamental source, and returning to the concepts established by the Prophet (PBUH) and the pure Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), through which it is possible to create common points. Of course, commonalities already exist, but where? Yes, these commonalities exist in pure Muhammadan Islam, not in the plans of some court scholars in various stages of Islamic history. These common points clearly and manifestly exist with the Prophet (PBUH) and the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), through which we became acquainted with pure Muhammadan Islam."

Regarding the role of Muslim women in strengthening alignment and bringing Islamic denominations and groups closer together, Sheikh al-Asi told Taghrib: "As it is said, women are half of society. When we ignore the role of women and set it aside, we have in fact automatically ignored the role of half of society. Therefore, women must have an influential and active role in the growth and progress of society. Women are mothers and have an educational role. In the contemporary era, the role of women has gone beyond housekeeping and raising children, and despite the great importance of this role, today we see that women are partners with men in many fields of work. You now, when you go to the airport, see that women have become pilots and are flying planes, and of course, they do the same work that men do, in the best possible way. Therefore, ignoring the role of women deprives the Islamic Ummah of a large part of its human resources."

In response to the question of how this role can strengthen rapprochement among denominations, he stated: "Regarding strengthening rapprochement among Islamic denominations, we always say that the first step is to set aside some discourses (that become an obstacle to rapprochement)."

This Lebanese scholar, in response to the question of whether confronting Zionism and defending the rights of the Palestinian people can help strengthen Muslim unity, told Taghrib: "There is no doubt that the Palestinian issue is the pivotal and central issue of the Islamic Ummah. Our view of the Palestinian issue is not merely a view of the Zionist enemy's confrontation with the Islamic Ummah, but a view of the confrontation between truth and falsehood. There is an oppressed and suppressed nation, and people who have come from around the world have occupied the land of this nation and are suppressing them. Regardless of whether we are Muslims or not, any person who hears such a story – that people from around the world have come and occupied a nation's land, driven them out, and displaced them – would side with the Palestinian nation."

"Naturally, reason considers this action repulsive and sides with this oppressed nation against the oppressor. In addition, based on Islamic logic and perspective, we consider this land as sacred Islamic land in which Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, and given the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Islamic thought and ideas, all of this leads us to say that the Palestinian issue is the pivotal and central issue of the Ummah, and Islamic unity also helps it, because it unites and integrates the capabilities and resources of the Islamic Ummah in the path of liberating this land, returning it to its rightful owners, and freeing the sanctities."