Terrorist crimes have nothing to do with Islam: Leader

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the atrocities committed by Takfiri terrorists have nothing to do with Islam.

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in Tehran on Sunday.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the terrorist groups’ savage crimes, such as beheading and torching people, show that they know nothing about Islam, noting, “Islam is the religion of fraternity, kindness and seeking the best for others and these crimes have nothing to do with Islam.”

“In countering the violent terrorism and barbarism [committed] by Daesh [IS] and like-minded Takfiri groups committing these crimes in the name of Islam, people should be given the chance to practice rightful Islamic activities,” said the Leader.

The best way for blocking the infiltration of the Takfiri currents, the Leader said, is to bolster genuine Islamic ideologies, which he described as “moderate and sensible.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also described the nations of Iran and neighboring Turkmenistan as close relatives and underscored the need for the two countries to take “effective and practical” steps with a view to implementing bilateral agreements.

The Leader underlined the necessity for Iran and Turkmenistan to further cooperation amid tense conditions prevailing in the region.

“Iran-Turkmenistan border are frontiers of peace and calm, and are reason for the two sides’ peace of mind and the possibility of using the Iran route for access to the Persian Gulf and high seas is a valuable opportunity for Turkmenistan,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.

For his part, the Turkmen president described as unfavorable the ongoing political conditions in the region and noted that Daesh and its followers are foreigners to the teachings of Islam. He expressed regret that certain governments are supporting the Daesh terrorists.

Berdimuhamedow also expressed delight with his meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei, saying Iran and Turkmenistan maintain historically good ties.

He welcomed Ayatollah Khamenei’s description of Iranian and Turkmen nations as close relatives and said the implementation of the recommendations of the Leader during previous visits have born fruitful results.

The Turkmen leader also said that some countries are interested in becoming linked to high seas through Iran and Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen head of state had last met with Ayatollah Khamenei during a 2012 visit to the Islamic Republic.

Gurbanguly arrived in Tehran earlier in the day on a visit aimed at boosting the bilateral ties.

So far during the visit, Iran and Turkmenistan have signed nine memorandums of understanding for the expansion of cooperation in different fields, including the health and medical sector, media, power transfer, sports, transportation, and housing.

During his stay, the Turkmen president is also to attend the third Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit, which is to be held in the capital on Monday, with nine heads of states, including Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in attendance.