Iran has also borne the heavy costs of war and sanctions in the path of realizing a unified Islamic Ummah, Sheikh Zuhair Othman Jaeed, the general coordinator of the Lebanese Islamic Amal Front, said.

He made the remarks in an interview with IQNA on the sidelines of the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran

Excerpts from the interview are as follows:

IQNA – What is your view and assessment of the theory of the unity of the Islamic Ummah and the principle of avoiding insulting the sanctities of different religions and sects as stated in the thought of the martyred Leader of the Ummah Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei?

The martyred Leader, Imam Khamenei, was more pioneering than many other Shia religious authorities in the field of firm insistence on prohibiting any disrespect for the sanctities of the Sunni community, the companions and wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He issued a directive addressed to the government and government institutions, declaring any insult to these figures prohibited, and he always explained this position to the general public. For us Sunnis, it is a source of pride and honor that Ayatollah Khamenei considered the issue of Islamic unity not merely a theoretical issue, but rather a matter arising from the principles of belief, faith, and God, and he worked to realize it practically - and not just in words and theory.

IQNA – How do you evaluate the place of the Palestinian cause, al-Quds, and the axis of resistance in the thought of the martyred Leader?

Imam Khamenei is a disciple of Imam Khomeini (RA). Therefore, for us in the Arab and Islamic world, the centrality of this system from the beginning of the (Iranian Islamic) revolution, its victory, and the establishment of the Islamic Republic, has been based on two vital and very important issues. Although other issues are certainly important to the Iranian nation, for us, what was important was Islamic unity and the Palestinian cause. The Islamic Republic has always remained loyal to the Palestinian people and their resistance, and has worked to liberate Palestine and support the Palestinian people in achieving their rights; and in fact, the Islamic Republic has paid a heavy price for taking this position.

Naturally, this reflects the decision, vision, and actions of the Leader, Imam Khamenei; the support came in the form of financial resources, weapons, political support, training, and other things. In fact, it can even be said that the martyred Imam paid the highest price for Palestine, thereby proving his sincerity towards the Palestinian cause, the Sunni community, and the idea of ​​unity.

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This is why this issue plays a pivotal role; because if Iran and its leader had decided to abandon Palestine, Iran would not have faced aggression or war. The entirety of the war that was launched against Iran, as well as the current economic blockade, is simply a result of the position that the Leader and the Iranian government have taken towards Palestine.

IQNA – How does the Holy Quran view the concept of unity and what is the way to achieve it?

The Holy Quran commands and issues a divine order that Muslims must be united. God Almighty says: “This is your nation, one nation, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” (92/Anbiya). As it says in another verse: “Indeed, the religion with Allah is Islam.” (19/Al Imran) Islam is one. Within Islam, there is neither a religion called “Shia” nor a religion called “Sunni.” Islam is one; these are merely different ways of worship. Therefore, Islam is a religion of convergence and unity. The Quran commands unity and says: “And hold fast all together to the rope of God and do not be divided.”

The International Islamic Unity Conference is held annually on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). 

The 40th International Conference on Islamic Unity opened in Tehran on Thursday and will run until Sunday.

Organized with the main theme of “Islamic Unity in the Thought of the Martyr Imam”, the international conference has been attended by prominent religious, scholarly and political figures from 40 countries.

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