Promotion of Islam counters Takfirism: Ayatollah Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in Tehran on Tuesday. Also present at the meeting was Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

“Promoting Islamic teachings and observing religious manifestations and rites will encourage public support [for measures designed] to counter threats,” the Leader said.

“Promoting Islamic teachings and Shiism” will bring about divine assistance in dealing with “problems and threats,” added Ayatollah Khamenei.

Touching on good political relations and numerous commonalities, particularly in religious affairs, between Iran and Azerbaijan, the Leader said the Islamic Republic views the Azeri people within a brotherly framework, going beyond simple friendship and neighborliness.

“Political stability, security, calm and public welfare for people of Azerbaijan are very important for us and in the light of wholehearted understanding between the two nations, economic exchanges and cooperation in different sectors must increase,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader urged the Azeri government to throw its weight behind the “Islamic and Shia beliefs” of Azeri people in a bid to win their support against the hostility of certain superpowers.

For his part, President Aliyev said threats posed against Iran and Azerbaijan stem from a single source, adding that Tehran and Baku have agreed to combat terrorism in order to restore peace and stability in the region.

Noting that Iran and Azerbaijan share a stance on international issues, the Azeri president said Iran has been instrumental in establishing peace and stability in the world.

The Azeri president arrived in Tehran Tuesday morning at the head of a high-ranking politico-economic delegation.