Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Qur’anic events can serve as a platform to promote genuine Islam and fight erroneous interpretations of Islamic teachings, which have been exploited by terrorist groups.
Speaking in a meeting with the participants of the 33rd International Qur’an Competitions in Tehran on Wednesday, he said, “Deviation and lack of enlightenment are to blame for the emergence of takfiri-terrorist groups in the region and wars and divisions among the Muslim Ummah, which serve the enemies’ interests.”
A takfiri is a Muslim who accuses the followers of some Islamic sects as being apostates.
“Qur’anic events should be used for enlightenment and participants from various countries [in the Qur’an competitions] should strive to guide their nations and raise their awareness,” he was quoted as saying by IRNA.
The Leader highlighted the Holy Qur’an and its teachings as the pivot of unity in the Muslim world, saying that it is God’s gift whose instructions help shepherd the Ummah toward unity and cohesion.
He cautioned against remaining passive toward anti-Islam plots by hegemonic powers, saying that the hostile states are well aware that if Muslims are strong and powerful and able to put up strong resistance, they cannot continue with their oppressive schemes and ploys against other nations and issues such as Palestine’s occupation will not be consigned to oblivion.
