Non-Muslim States Seek To Damage Tehran-Riyadh Ties: Official

Tehran, Oct 15, IRNA – Supreme Leader's representative for Hajj Affairs Ali Qazi Asgar believed certain non-Muslim states are planning to damage Iran-Saudi Arabia relations. "Whenever Tehran and Riyadh get closer and there is hope for improvement in bilateral relations, certain issues are published in the media aimed at undermining Iran-Saudi Arabia relations. I believe this is done and designed by Non-Islamic states," said the official. Qazi Asgar made the remarks in a meeting with Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ayad bin Amin Madani. The meeting was held at the OIC Secretariat in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Tuesday afternoon. The two discussed major issues including promotion of Tehran-Riyadh and Iran-OIC relations as well as the fight against Islamophpbia and practicing violence in the name of Islam. Encouraging dialogue among Muslim scholars to reduce disagreements and restore peace and stability to the whole region was also reviewed in the meeting. Stressing the need to strengthen unity among Muslims, Qazi Asgar slammed those who "kill and behead people in the name of Islam and practice Jihad al-Nikah (interim marriage with the fighters) which is not acceptable by any Muslim." Referring to those acts as "sedition," the official said they will only sow discord among Muslims while preventing sedition is "a duty of all Muslims." He also urged the need to hold an emergency meeting by Muslim Ulemma (scholars) in Medina, Saudi Arabia, to this end. Meanwhile, the OIC chief said disagreements among Muslim states are periodical and require cooperation of all Islamic nations. Those who fan the fuel of discord in the Islamic world or portray Islam as a religion of extremism are not Muslims as Islam is a religion of peace and kindness, Madani said, noting that certain states are planned to dominate Muslims by sowing discord among them. As to Iran-Saudi relations, he stressed that bilateral ties between the two capitals are the key to resolve problems of the World of Islam./end