President: World now believes Iran is against violence

Tehran, Aug 20, IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani said by raising its WAVE proposal at the UN gathering in 2013, Tehran proved the world public opinion that Iran is a peace-loving country and a victim of violence which is against Weapons of Mass Destruction and aggression. President Rouhani made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the conference on the World Mosque Day. He said his initiative of the World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE) which was overwhelmingly ratified at the UN General Assembly with 190 votes in 2013, was the “first step” to convince the world public opinion that Iran is against violence and is a peace-loving country. Presently, said the President, the world has come to realize Iran's nuclear program and the UN Security Council blocked its resolutions against the country. Referring to Iran's talks with the world major powers which ended a long-term dispute and led to concluding a nuclear deal between the two sides in July 14, the President said, 'We have succeeded to stand up to the world by unity and solidarity.' 'Today, we need harmony and unanimity too. Trough unity, we can even help our neighbors who are living in pain,' said the President. He further referred to mosques as places to discuss major social issues as well as regional and international developments and problems of the Islamic world not a place for political parties. Commemorating the occasion of the World Mosque Day which was attended by a number of foreign ambassadors to Tehran as well as a group of the Iranian lawmakers and Friday-prayer leaders, President Rouhani asserted that the bitter memory of the 1969 al-Aqsa Mosque fire would not be forgotten. August 21 marks the anniversary of the 1969 fire at al-Aqsa Mosque, the origins of which are still being disputed over 40 years after the incident occurred. The day is titled World Mosque Day in remembrance of the event. 'The al-Aqsa Mosque fire indicates that the Zionist regime not only continues to murder and rape innocent women and children, but it also has no respect for a mosque, the first Qibla of Muslims, (the first direction to which Muslims faced when offering prayers), and a land that is completely respected by other religions as well,' said the President.