TEHRAN The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here yesterday stressed that a united Islamic ummah will play a fundamental role in the struggle against the Zionist regime.

The Leader made the remark in a meeting the Egyptian Mufti and Vice Chancellor of Al-Azhar University, Sheikh Mohammad Aid al-Ghani Ashor, describing unity of Islamic ummah as a sacred ideal.

Ayatollah Khamenei said unity of the world of Islam will not be realized through lip service, through practical steps.

He underlined the sensitivity and seriousness of the people and Islamic system of Iran and said stand of the Islamic states in the face of Israel is a serious criteria for us.

The ayatollah said, confrontation with the current wave of discord is the criteria for commitment to unity of the world of Islam, adding that defending the Islamic territories is a religious obligation in all Islamic schools of thought.

The Leader said the Muslim ulema should enhance the sense of responsibility of Muslims for the liberation of Palestine and added that good steps have been taken in Egypt to this end.

The Islamic ulema and intellectuals should present genuine Islamic outlook to the modern world's curious minds. He asked the visiting sheikh to convey his regards to the ulema and people of Egypt.

Meanwhile, Al-Ghani said, "In my visit to Iran, I carry the salutations of the Al-Azhar ulema to a great leader who is the embodiment of knowledge, religion and morality."

The sheikh said that the Egyptian ulema and scholars have pinned great hopes on the Leader of Islamic Revolution for realizing the unity of Islamic ummah.