Rafsanjani warns Islamic countries against impact of discord

Chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Monday warned the Islamic countries about the weakening impact of discord, calling for religious solidarity.

At a meeting in Tehran with visiting Qatari Judiciary Chief Ali Bin Fatis al-Marri, Ayatollah Rafsanjani said Iran has always attached special significance to expansion of relations with the neighboring and Muslim Qatar.

‘With a population of 1.7 billion and enormous resources, nearly 60 Islamic countries could turn into the top decision-maker in regional and international arenas,’ the Ayatollah said.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani, who has also served as Iran’s president for two terms, recalled his administration’s policies for promotion of cooperation with Persian Gulf Arab states and Central Asian countries and said, ‘Cooperation with Persian Gulf states, particularly Qatar, on drinking water supplies was one of our plans.’

Rafsanjani said in addition to personal efforts, he endeavors, as part of the official policy of the Islamic establishment, to ensure Islamic solidarity.

He went on to say Islamic scholars are duty-bound to prevent ignorance from spreading to Islamic communities.

The Qatari judiciary chief, for his part, said that the Qatari Emir favors enhanced relations between the two countries, adding, ‘We know that our common ground outweighs what divides us.’

Recalling to the role of Ayatollah Rafsanjani in the Muslim world, al-Marri called on the Iranian veteran politician to step in and help narrow the gap among the Muslims.