Islamic unity arising from explicit text of Holy Quran: Thinker

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

        Praise and gratitude are due to the Lord of the worlds. We send greetings and blessings to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his pure progeny and his chosen companions. Almighty God has said in the Holy Qur'an: إِنَّ هٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُم أُمَّةً واحِدَةً وَأَنا رَبُّكُم فَاعبُدونِ "This is your Ummah, the one united Ummah, and I am your Lord; so worship me."
        I am grateful to Allah Almighty for giving me the opportunity to participate in the 36th "Islamic Unity" International Conference. Also, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Secretary General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, Hojat al-Islam, Dr. Hamid Shahriari, and also to all the brothers who have been engaged in organizing this great assembly for their pure and blessed efforts in holding such conferences. It is obvious that holding such conferences plays an important role in the realization of "Islamic unity" among different parts and walks of the Islamic Ummah.
        Dear brothers and sisters! "Islamic unity" is not an Ijtihad or optional issue. The "Islamic unity" is an issue arising from the explicit text of the Holy Quran. However, in the current situation, the colonialism that overthrew the Islamic Caliphate and is now trying to impose its culture, politics and ideas on us, unfortunately managed to create discord among Muslims. I have to say with great regret that many children of the Islamic Ummah, of all schools of thought, went along with the plans and conspiracies of foreigners to divide the ranks of Muslims and bring them down from power and dignity. This process continued until the Islamic Revolution of Iran was established by the Late Imam Khomeini (may God have mercy on him). Following the victory of this revolution, Muslims felt that they could take practical steps in the path of reviving Islam and regaining their place among other nations and Ummahs. The fact is that the Islamic Revolution of Iran changed the international norms and standards, and it was able to put the name of Islam on the scene once again. Iran's Islamic Revolution mentioned Islam as an original policy for world leadership. This happened right at a time when the United States and the Soviet Union were taking over the leadership of the world. Today, Iran has become a country that competes with developed countries in the scientific and other fields.
        Based on this, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in order to protect the Islamic project and protect the Islamic essence of its revolution, called everyone to confront sectarianism and sectarian thoughts and ideas. The Late Imam Khomeini invited everyone to this confrontation. The reason for this invitation is that sectarian ideas are the cause of division among the Islamic Ummah. The constant call of the Late Imam Khomeini was: "O Muslims, unite... O Muslims, unite...". This call was actually an honest interpretation of the different dimensions and angles of the concept of "unity" in all fields. Imam Khomeini emphasized in his statements: "All of us are followers of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). We are all brothers and we have one path, one religion and one Holy Quran.
        Dear brothers and sisters! Our interest in the Islamic Revolution is due to our belief towards it. We believe that many people still do not understand the value and dignity of this Revolution. Therefore, today, trying to protect and safeguard the Islamic Republic and support it is a Sharia duty. Also, it is a task to carefully examine the causes and factors of some failures in the field of realization of "unity" in the ranks of the Islamic Ummah.
        Dear participants! None of us should disagree with each other on the importance and necessity of achieving unity among different classes and schools of thought of Muslims. Diversity in Ijtihad should be persuasive for the Islamic Ummah and not lead to division, separation and enmity among Muslims. As I mentioned earlier, Muslims are not allowed to Ijtihad on the issue of "Islamic unity". This is not an issue on which Ulemma have a difference of opinion. "Islamic unity" is a Quranic and prophetic duty. In this connection, the Almighty Allah has said in the Holy Qur'an: " إِنَّ هٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُم أُمَّةً واحِدَةً وَأَنا رَبُّكُم فَاعبُدونِ ", Hold fast to the rope of Allah [unity] and do not scatter. The Almighty Allah has also mentioned in another honorable verse in the Holy Quran: إِنَّ هذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً واحِدَةً وَ أَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ . "This is your Ummah, the one United Ummah, and I am your Lord, so worship me."
        Therefore, the verses and traditions all emphasize the necessity of unity among Muslims; the unity that is the reason for the strength, pride and dignity of Muslims; especially that today all Muslims have a common destiny and concerns. On the other hand, division and separation puts Muslims in a position of weakness.
        Dear brothers! The problem of Shi’as and Sunnis is that both sides ignore each other. The problem is that some, relying on fanatical positions, try to stabilize the gap and separation among Muslims by exaggerating controversial issues. Of course, many of these controversial issues are concepts based on superstitions. Therefore, many prominent scholars and thinkers are diligently and sincerely trying to realize "Islamic unity" and to institutionalize it in the ranks of the Islamic Ummah. "Islamic unity" is a religious necessity to face the challenges, dangers and conspiracies that the Islamic Ummah is facing in various cultural, economic, political, military and ideological fields. On this basis, the supporters of unity and especially the prominent scholars and Ulemma and thinkers of the Islamic world should be in support and defense of any unifying action. We must confront all those who seek to attack the unity project and make it fail.
        Also, in the field of "Islamic unity", we should use the experience of unifying scholars and Ulemma and their unifying plans and programs. At the head of these prominent scholars and Ulemma are the personalities that I am referring to: "Imam Khomeini", Allameh "Sheikh Saeid Sha’ban", Allameh "Sheikh Mohammad Wa’ez’zadeh", Allameh Sheikh Faisal Molavi", “Allameh Sheikh Muhammad Ali Taskhiri", Allameh "Sheikh Muhammad Hossein Fazlollah", Allameh "Sheikh Abbas Al-Mousavi", Dr. "Fathi Yeken", Allameh "Sheikh Muhammad Ghazzali" (may God have mercy and blessings on them). These are the personalities who provided practical examples of "Islamic unity". This path was continued by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei (may God bless him and grant him peace), as well as other Ulemma in Iran, the Arab world, and the Islamic world. The realization of "Islamic unity" requires diligent efforts by the great Ulemma.
        I must also point out that the colonialists also abused scholars and Ulemma to destroy unity among Muslims. Some scholars also accompanied the plans and programs of the colonizers and fulfilled the wishes of the foreigners. This is why I emphasize that the role of scholars and Ulemma is very important and fundamental in realizing unity or destroying it.
        In conclusion, I would like to thank all the participants of the "Islamic Unity" Conference for their blessed efforts to achieve unity in the face of the project of global arrogance and also for their support for the issues and concerns of the Islamic Ummah and the oppressed nations, especially the Palestinian nation, in the continuous confrontation with the Zionist regime.
I thank you.

"Islamic unity" arising from explicit text of Holy Quran: Thinker