The Secretary General of Islamic Schools Proximity Assembly (ISPA) Ali Akbar Velayati said government officials and politicians in Islamic countries are duty-bound to avert undue differences that enfeeble relations among Muslims.

Velayati, who was talking to the television network of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said over half a century ago, the late Allamah Sheikh Mohammad-Taqi Qomi was the first one who proposed the creation of ISPA in Cairo.

He said the sheikh's plan was welcomed by the late Grand Ayatollah Boroujerdi and Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltut, the grand mufti of Egypt, adding that in those days renowned ulema such as Dr. Taha Hossein of Egypt were among the big upholders of ISPA, attaining great successes in this respect.

Dr. Velayati said that in the time of Gamal Abd al-Naser, the Egyptian government rendered valuable contributions to the progress of the work of ISPA, with invaluable books having been published in Egypt encouraging the unity of the Islamic ummah.

The secretary general of ISPA underscored commonalties among Muslims and said averting attempts at aggravating differences constitutes the nature of ISPA.