The director of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council said on Monday there is no precedent in history for the cruel actions of takfiri terrorists.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Congress on Extremist and Takfiri Movement in Islamic Scholars' View, which began on Sunday in the holy city of Qom, Ali Akbar Velayati said, "The brutal actions of takfiri terrorists and releasing their photos to tarnish the image of Islam have been unprecedented in history," IRNA reported.
A takfiri is a Muslim who accuses another Muslim of being an unbeliever.
He stated, "The inhumane crimes of takfiri groups are to the detriment of the Muslim world and against the common interests of Muslims."
He said such groups are created as part of a plot hatched by foreign forces against Muslims and Muslim countries, adding, "This conspiracy aims to cause discord among Muslims, and foreign forces are trying to distort the image of Islam."
Referring to the presence of Sunni scholars in the conference, he said, "All the scholars of the Muslim world attending the meeting maintain that takfiris' actions run counter to Islamic principles and are detrimental to Muslims," adding that they unanimously believe in promoting Islamic unity as the only way to eradicate the phenomenon.
He noted, "The congress plays a key role in enlightening the public opinion among vigilant Muslims."
"All non-Muslims should bear in mind that according to leading Muslim scholars in the world, the actions of takfiri and extremist groups have nothing to do with Islam," he added.
Takfiris Spread Islamophobia
The director of the seminary schools of the country said takfiri terrorists have helped spread Islamophobia.
Speaking at the gathering, Ayatollah Seyyed Hashem Hosseini Boushehri said on Monday, "The behavior of takfiri terrorists has caused Islamophobia to spread resulting in escalation of discriminatory actions against Muslims all over the world," IRNA reported. He said, "Takfiri groups with their wrong thoughts have accused other Muslims of being unbelievers and regarded their killings as permitted."
He went on to say that peaceful Muslim nations do not deserve to suffer from such unusual behaviors.
Hosseini Boushehri said that takfiris develop close relations with the enemies instead of safeguarding Muslims' interests, adding that awareness-raising are needed to get rid of the current situation, and Muslim scholars should shoulder the burden.
Key Role in Fostering Unity
Referring to the key role of Iran in fostering unity in the Muslim world, the head of the Caucasus Muslims Clergymen Office said in his address to the gathering, "Unity among Muslim societies can be achieved just through relying on the Islamic Republic, which is indebted to the great founder of the Islamic Republic (late Imam Khomeini)," IRNA reported.
Allah Shakour Pashazadeh added, "At present, what takfiri groups are doing has brought about negative effects in the world and their latest actions are aimed at showing the priority of the western democracy over the Islamic thought."
The two-day conference in Qom brought together hundreds of Muslim scholars and thinkers from around the globe to discuss the threats posed by takfiri terror movements.
