DAMASCUS A group of Iranian Sunni clerics from Bandar Torkman, northern Iran, on Sunday night held talks with a group of Syrian Shia and Sunni clerics in Damascus. Syrian theologian Sheikh Ahmad Khorshid referred to the enemy attempts to sow discord between the Shia and Sunni Muslims and called on the Muslim clerics to counter such plots. Underlining the need to refrain from disputes, he praised the initiative of the founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini to announce Unity Week, June 26-July 1. Referring to Iran's willingness to help establish unity among Muslims across the globe, he called for exchange of views between Shia and Sunni Muslims to that end.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ehsan Ba'drani, a prominent Syrian Sunni alim and a member of Global Assembly for Affinity of the Islamic Sects, stressed on importance of unity among all Islamic sects and appreciated great efforts being made by the Islamic Republic of Iran to establish unity among Muslims. As long as there exists unity among Muslim nations, no power will be capable of hurting them, he stated.

Also addressing the meeting, Sheikh Qorban Mohammad Ounaq, a theologian at Bandar Torkman Theological Center said that the Sunni Muslims in Iran enjoy complete freedom in performing their religious rituals. (IRNA)