Prayer leader of the Iraqi holy city of Najaf said the country will welcome all religious and political leaders from across the globe except those from Israeli regime.

Hujjat-ul-Islam Seyyed Sadreddin Qabanchi, prayer leader of Najaf, in his weekly sermon on Friday, called the recent meeting between Pope Francis and Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani as a landmark instance in Shia world stressing that the Arab country will welcome all leaders from across the globe except those representing Israel, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
 
He said,” Ayatollah Sistani urged Pope Francis to convey his message to world political leaders to end violence, oppression, siege and terrorism” and added that the messages received following the historical meeting between the two leaders proves the global importance of the meeting.
 
The cleric referred to the recent invitation sent for the grand al-Azhar mufti, Sheikh Ahmad al-Tayyeb and said,” Iraq welcomes all religious and political leaders from across the globe but we have no talks with representatives from the Israeli regime and the Bathists who intend to return war and mass graves to Iraq.”
 
Top Iraqi scholar also hailed Pope Francis comments on the high character of Ayatollah Sistani answering journalists on board back to Rome.
 
Iraqi Prime Minister and speaker of the council of representatives have sent letters via head of the Sunni endowment office inviting al-Azhar grand mufti, Sheikh Ahmad al Tayyeb, to visit the Arab country