Attended by both Shia and Sunni clerics, conference titled "Yes to Pondering, No to Excommunication" was held so that the leaders of both Islamic denominations, Shia and Sunni, warn against excommunication and stress the importance of pondering in Islam.
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This conference was held in Zahedan, central city of the southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan where the Abdul Samad Sadati, Sunni cleric and prayer leader of the Saravan, southeastern city of Iran, noted that excommunication actually undermines Muslim unity by excluding some Muslims as non-Muslims, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
"While the principles of theism and atheism are clearly announced in the holy Book of Qur'an, by the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Islamic Sunnah, the arrogant powers support the excommunication in a move to divide the Muslim nation", said Sunni cleric adding that the present problem of Muslim nation is with the arrogant powers who fan the minor differences to distract our attention off the major issues."
He said the enemy with a knowledge of the unity of Shia and Sunni as an advantage for Islam and a disadvantage for its existence, aims this unity and the vigil Muslim community has foiled its plots for several times proving that it is loyal to its leader and all Muslim leaders of the world.
Mufti, Mohammad Ghasem Ghasemi, another Sunni cleric of Zahedan referred to a quote from Imam Abu Hanifa that "We do not excommunicate anyone who faces Qiblah (direction to which Muslims say their prayers)."
This grand Sunni Mufti said it would be forgivable for God should Muslims mistakenly count thousand non-Muslims as Muslims, however excluding even one Muslim as non-Muslim is not forgivable.
As a the best reaction to excommunication, Mufti Mohammad Ghasem Ghasemi counted patience and respecting the holy symbols of Shia and Sunni and added," Maintaining unity and a feeling of respect for each other are two major factors in foiling the plot of the enemies since it deprives them of the opportunity to wage division among Muslims."
In this conference the importance of thinking in Islam was also highlighted and one objective of the Prophets (pbut) was stressed to be inviting the masses to thinking.
Representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sunni affairs of Sistan and Balouchestan continued that once a person says Shahadateyn, announcing ones belief in the bases of Islam to declare ones joining Muslim community, and embraces Islam, it is an obligation for all to protect his life and property and excommunicating him would be an unforgivable sin.
Head of the Religions University of Qom referred to the all out efforts of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in bringing more unity between Shia and Sunni.
Hailing the efforts of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini as protecting Shia community from some baseless accusations he also praised the efforts of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who took a further step towards stabilizing sympathy, unity and tolerance between Shia and Sunni.
Head of the Religious Studies University referred to the differences between Shia and Sunni as a minor issue because the world was thirsty for a dialogue between Christianity and Islam.
Hossein Sabbah Zangene, Iranian Foreign Affairs expert said," Excommunication is the outcome of the arrogant powers' efforts who are scared of any development in Islam" and added that," Zionism cannot bear it to see the Muslims are out of his control therefore for the same very reason, Zionist tries to fan sedition by magnifying the minor differences and launching excommunication."
