Cleric Highlights Peaceful Coexistence of Faiths in Iran

IQNA – In the Islamic Republic of Iran, there is a peaceful coexistence among the followers of religions, an Al-Mustafa International University official said.

Hojat-ol-Islam Hassan Rezaei, head of the university’s international research center, made the remark in an interfaith meeting held in Tehran on Sunday with the participation of thinkers, scholars and researchers from Al-Mustafa International University and the Orthodox Church of Kazan in Russia.

He said the rights of religions are respected in Iran’s constitution, adding that official religions have representatives in the country’s parliament.

The head of the cultural and scientific group of the Russian Orthodox Christian Church in Kazan, Priest Nikita Kuznetsov, for his part, thanked the hospitality of the Iranians and Al-Mustafa University.

He called his presence in Iran historic and emphasized the kindness and respect of the Iranians, saying, “I never felt like a stranger in Iran, and the hospitality of the Iranians was such that we felt at home.”

He further called dialogue among religions a way to strengthen relations and said a lack of dialogue would be a way to distance people and divide cultures.

The participants in the meeting discussed issues of mutual interest and shared concerns.

At the end, the two sides emphasized the continuation of discussions and interaction and called for the establishment of a roadmap to enhance the effect of these interactions.

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