Muslim scholars discuss the martyred Leader’s views on Islamic unity

Participants to this meeting, attended by the Secretary General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari, highlighted necessity of boosting convergence among Muslims, avoiding excommunication and also establishing the Islamic unity as a comprehensive mechanism in the Islamic countries.

Sheikh Khalil Afraa, a prominent religious scholar, opened his remarks by referencing the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), noting that the Prophet’s primary concern was the welfare and guidance of the entire Ummah.

Sheikh Afraa identified the Holy Quran as the “supreme call for unity,” emphasizing that faith in God and the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) defines a Muslim.

“No individual has the right to assault, insult, or declare another a kafir (infidel),” he stated, citing explicit warnings from the Prophet regarding the dangers of Takfiri ideologies. He urged Muslims to cast aside divisive rhetoric, framing the call for unity championed by Imam Khomeini and the late leadership as a vital, ongoing necessity for modern Islamic society.

Mowlavi Alireza Yaqubi, the Friday prayer leader of Samangan, argued that unity is not merely a political tactic but a divine mandate essential for the survival of the Islamic world.

He noted that the last few decades have seen the Islamic world besieged by political, social, and ethnic challenges that threaten to erode the strength of the Ummah.

“We must distinguish between the healthy intellectual diversity of jurisprudence and theology—which is a sign of dynamic Islamic thought—and the destructive differences that lead to hostility,” Yaqubi asserted. He added that scholarly disagreements should never be allowed to compromise the fundamental principles of Islamic brotherhood.

The session also featured perspectives from international guests, including the Grand Mufti of Zambia, who highlighted the global importance of the gathering.

The Grand Mufti stressed that the message emanating from Tehran is clear: the Ummah must prioritize unity and solidarity as a matter of survival.

Professor Abdullah, a prominent scholar from Indonesia, highlighted that the current global climate demands unprecedented levels of cohesion. He stressed that intellectuals, religious leaders, and influential figures hold the responsibility of guiding the Muslim masses away from discord.

“The support and collaboration among the people of Iran and Muslims worldwide can create a turning point in the trajectory of the Islamic Ummah,” Abdullah stated.

He urged the Muslim community to leverage its latent capacities to build a more resilient and powerful collective force. Echoing this sentiment, the Grand Mufti of Zambia emphasized the necessity of strengthening common ground.

He noted that by focusing on shared values and the central message of unity, Muslims can effectively pave the way for deeper empathy and lasting integration within their societies.

Mohammad al-Asi, the prayer leader of the Islamic Center of Washington, brought a theological depth to the discussion by rooting the call for unity firmly in the Holy Quran.

“The Quran emphasizes the bonding of hearts and the rejection of divisive factors,” al-Asi remarked. He launched a sharp critique of Takfiri ideologies—the practice of declaring other Muslims as infidels—arguing that such views are fundamentally incompatible with Islamic teachings.

The discourse also turned toward the pressing issue of global violence. The Minister of Culture of Niger, while expressing deep gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the conference, steered the conversation toward the human suffering in conflict zones, particularly in Palestine.

“The voices of war and violence must be silenced across the globe,” the Minister stated. He advocated for a shift from military confrontation to the diplomatic table, urging nations to resolve their grievances through dialogue. He concluded by calling on all Muslim nations to export the message of fraternity, arguing that the world today requires these values of peace and reconciliation more than at any point in recent history.

The collective consensus from the day’s sessions was clear: Islamic unity must evolve from a slogan into a functional cultural framework, capable of providing real-world solutions to the crises currently facing the Muslim world.

Zahbia Fahem, a prominent Tunisian scholar, lauded the persistence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in holding the conference despite severe political conditions, describing it as a testament to the nation’s resilience.

“We must now move beyond the stage of holding meetings and proposing ideas,” she stated. “We must transform these concepts into practical steps. The enemy actively exploits existing fissures among Muslims; it is our duty to close these gaps through unity.” She framed unity not as a temporary political tactic, but as a long-term strategic necessity for building a powerful Islamic civilization.

The session took a somber tone as Ekram Keles, former head of the Turkish Diyanet, drew attention to the ongoing catastrophe in Palestine.

Commending the Iranian people and leadership for their steadfast opposition to Zionist aggression, Keles described the situation in Gaza as an existential threat that goes beyond mere warfare.

“What is happening in Gaza is not simply an attack on people; it is the destruction of a civilization—the obliteration of cities, mosques, schools, and cultural centers,” Keles warned.

Mowlavi Vahidbakhsh Shanbe-zehi, a Sunni Friday Prayer leader from Sistan and Baluchistan, emphasized, “We, Muslims, must focus on essential commonalities like Monotheism and Justice, and stand in a single row against global hegemony,” he concluded.

Mowlavi Shanbe-zehi challenged the assembly to fundamentally shift how they view Islamic diversity. “Our differences should be considered the ‘asset’ of the Islamic Ummah, not a cause for conflict or division,” he argued.

He closed his address with a sobering call to action, urging the delegates to move beyond the comfort of conferences and abstract slogans.

The session closed with a shared vision among the delegates: that the realization of Islamic brotherhood is the fundamental prerequisite for building a world that is not only peaceful and flourishing but also resilient against the forces of division and external dominance.