Problems of Muslim World Mainly Rooted in Political Issues: Cleric

TEHRAN (IQNA) - A senior Iranian cleric says many of the problems of the Muslim world are rooted in the political issues between countries.

Hojat-ol-Islam Hamid Shahriari, Secretary General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, made the remarks in a Thursday meeting with Adel Bour, a representative of Turkish religious affairs in Iran.

"In fact what the politicians pursue in the diplomatic arena leads to problems in the world of Islam,” Shahriari said, adding that there are minor disagreements among scholars and academicians which rarely end in terror or Takfir.

Once religious scholars follow a solid framework, he continued, then they can play a role in the political arena.

"Religion is never in pursuit of war and terror. All religions respect man’s life. The Holy Quran says he who kills one individual has in fact killed the entire humanity.”

The Noble Quran seeks to establish global peace, he said, calling on scholars to explain different aspects of this issue to society.

There have been various interpretations of religion throughout history, he said, adding that this should not lead to conflict. There is no problem with dialogue and discussion but if these confrontations lead to terror and Takfir, then it is against Islamic principles. 

Shahriari also slammed hiring the media for the desecration of sanctities, urging everyone to maintain the discipline of disagreement. 

For his part, the Turkish official pointed to the necessity of proximity among different Islamic madhhabs.

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