Islam Favors Peace: Senior Cleric
In a message to a regional conference on "Takfir, Challenges ahead and Responsibilities of Muslim Scholars”, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi described Takfiri terrorism as a major problem gripping the Muslim world and the entire humanity.
He regretted that while Islam favors peaceful coexistence with others, a group of so-called Muslims who are unaware of Islam’s teachings and are supported by certain sides (arrogant powers) describe themselves as true Muslims and consider anyone else, including Shias and Sunnis as infidels.
The senior cleric noted that these individuals have committed terrible crimes and tarnished the image of Islam.
He underscored the responsibility of Muslim world scholars to spread the fact that Islam is a religion of peace and mercy not violence and bloodshed.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi further hailed a recent proposal by the imam of Egypt’s al-Azhar Islamic Center, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb who called on Muslim scholars to issue Fatwas against shedding the blood of fellow Muslims.
Takfiri terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIL), have in recent years committed heinous crimes in different parts of the world in the name of Islam, whereas Islam condones no such atrocious acts but considers killing innocent people as one of the gravest sins.
