Senior Iranian Shia cleric has issued a message on Sunday to voice support for Shia-Sunni dialogue as proposed by al-Azhar grand mufti Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb in his address to Bahrain interfaith meeting also attended by Pope Francis.

Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari, Secretary General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought hailed the call by Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb for holding dialogue between Shia and Sunni scholars in an effort to reduce tensions in the world of Islam, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).
 
The cleric in his letter addressing Ahmed el-Tayyeb said,” Once again al-Azhar, represented by your honorable scholar, called for Islamic dialogue urging the Shia and Sunni clerics for talks and eliminating factors which bring tensions in the world of Islam.”
 
The cleric noted,” Al-Azhar announcement regarding preparation for hosting Islamic dialogue illustrates your commitment to the topic and also your intention and honesty to achieve the objective.”
 
Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari stressed the constant support of Iran’s major Islamic unity center, World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, for leading and civilized calls for closeness of hearts and going beyond division, tribalism and prioritization of interests of Muslim world to personal benefits.
 
He stated,” Today we announce our solidarity with your call and our preparation for facilitating the project by all possible means.”
 
Secretary General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought expressed hope for success of al-Azhar and that honor and security prevail across the world of Islam and that the voices of hostility, division and Takfir (excommunication) are beaten.
 
Grand mufti from prestigious university in Egypt made speech at interfaith meeting in Bahrain, also attended by Pope Francis, calling for dialogue between Shia and Sunni clerics and “together chase away any talk of hate, provocation and excommunication and set aside ancient and modern conflict in all its forms.”
 
Launched in 1990 at an order by Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei, World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought has been pursuing the objective to facilitate intra-Muslim meetings between Shia and Sunni clerics and boosting solidarity among all Islamic denominations.