Top French Shia cleric calls for unity

General mufti of the Islamic Council of France, who embraced Shia Islam in the holy city of Karbala, says Muslims from all over the world should unite.

“Muslims from all over the world, Shia, Sunni, Malakits, Hanbalites should unite, should hold each other’s hands. They are all Muslims.” Sheikh Sankoh Muhammadi told Press TV.

“I am against the fighting and destruction between Muslims,” he added. “People who have not understood the message of God are those who want Muslims to stay divided.”

Sheikh Sankoh embraced Shia Islam after a visit to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq at the age of 68.

“Yes I am Shia,” he said. “This is a Shia who is speaking to you. I am also Malakit. I also belong to all currents of Prophet’s family.”

In a meeting with Shia scholar Sheikh Walid al-Baaj in Iraq, Sheikh Sankoh said he had found the true Islam by visiting the holy shrines of the Ahlul-Bayt (PBUH), the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in Karbala.

The Ahlul-Bayt (PBUH) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) have been concealed from the eyes of Muslims and I came to discover who they really were when I visited Karbala, he said.

Originally from Cameroon, Sheikh Sankoh has been living in France for 43 years. He is the prayer leader and head of the Fatwa Center in France and is known for the high number of mosques he has built in the European country.