TEHRAN – Two prominent religious scholars believe that unity is the most influential tool to counter plots by terrorists who have been trying incessantly to create divisions among Muslim sects.

“We are at a time that sectarianism and terrorism focus on dividing Muslims in the world, so we need to promote and strengthen unity among all Islamic nations to neutralize enemy plots,” Abd Alsalam Rajeh, the vice chairman of Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro Foundation in Syria, told the Tehran Times on the sidelines of the Islamic unity conference in Tehran.

Hamed H. Alabdullah, the vice dean of consulting, training and research in Kuwait University, also told the Tehran Times that “terrorism cannot be eradicated by bombs, weapons, and military force”.

President Hassan Rouhani told the Islamic unity meeting - which was held on December 27-29 - that it is essential to uproot the “ideology of violence” which has generated extremism and terrorism. Rouhani also expressed regret that about 84 percent of the acts of terror and massacres are taking place in the Muslim world, particularly in North Africa, the Middle East, and West Asia.

Following is the text of the interview with Rajeh and Alabdullah:

Q: Mr. Abd Alsalam Rajeh, what is the most pressing need of the Islamic world at this time of history?

A: Currently unity is essential for survival of Islamic countries. We are at a time of history that sectarianism and terrorism have been focusing on dividing Muslims in the world, so we need to promote and strengthen unity among all Islamic nations to neutralize enemy plots”.

Facing such atrocities in the Islamic world Muslims have two alternatives: either to unite or to go astray. So we can say that salvation results from convergence of nations.

Peace is the real face of Islam which is in conformity with the dignity of all human beings.

Q: In your opinion, how can we fight terrorism?

A: Terrorism has left a negative effect on the Islamic world and the entire world in general. The first effect has been on power of Islam and its teachings, so in such circumstances we should at first refer to Quran that recommends benevolence, charity, compassion, generosity, helping others and then the Prophet’s tradition which can offer various roadmaps for facing the challenges related to extremism and the crises in the world.


Q: Mr. Alabdullah, how do you assess the importance of Islamic unity in the present time?

A: The unity is the God’s massage. Through unity we can win over any challenge in our life. If we stand united we will win and if we stay divided we will lose.

Terrorism and Takifiri movements which speak in the name of Islam, present a dark and bad image of Islam. They present Islam as the religion of carnage, bloodshed, and tyranny.

Q: How do you think we must face the extremist currents that have presented a distorted image of Islam?

A: Any issue can be resolved by logic and reasoning. One of the ways to combat terrorism is to discuss the thoughts and the ideologies that fuels terrorism. Terrorism cannot be eradicated by bombs, weapons, and military force; we might be able to regain the lands occupied by fighting terrorists but if the ideology remains, terrorism will be born again.

The other way to fight the ideology of terrorism is develop economy to eradicate poverty to prevent the young and poor people to be recruited by terrorist groups; and we can improve economic ties among Muslim nations to fight poverty. Another tool is to promote Shia-Sunni unity.



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“Currently unity essential for survival of the Islamic countries” Dr. Abd Alsalam Rajeh says