muslims must be able to distinguish friends from foes (23.7.1997)

tehran, july 23, irna -- leader of the islamic revolution ayatollah seyed-ali khamenei told a group of international guests here wednesday that the unity of muslim world is the key to solving the problems that are plaguing muslim nations. ayatollah khamenei who was addressing a large audience of visitors who are in tehran on the occasion of the 10th. islamic unity conference said that historically, the enemies of muslims had always feared the unity of world muslims, and added that as the result of the triumph of the islamic revolution in iran, the world enemies of muslims had launched out a campaign for dividing muslim sects here and there in the world. he said the uprising of muslim people in iran inspired the muslim people of the world with a sense of pride and dignity while, he said, the international enemies of muslims have wrongly accused iran of state terorrism and human rights abuses with a view to destroying the good relations between the iranian government and the rest of the muslim world, and thereby prevent world muslims forming a true judgement about iran and prevent their espousal of the international islamic movement.

the leader of the islamic revolution reminded the visiting foreign guests that the world muslims must exploit their geographical and their other god-given resources for their religious goals in their march to progress and in their fight with international arrogance and zionism. he said shi'ites as well as sunni muslims must have a realistic view of the current international situation and be able to distinguish friends from foes lest they might confuse their friends with their foes and attack their home front rather than the enemy front. he also said that muslim men of letters, poets, and public speakers, too, must be able to identify true enemies of muslims in the world and keep watchful eyes on them lest they might pose themselves as their brethren in faith and infiltrate the very bastions that are meant to be fortresses and platforms from which to fight the enemies of muslims. ayatollah khamenei said the idea of the separation of religion from the state as a general principle applicable also to muslim states is an ideological device of the enemies of muslims for preventing them the use of their potential resources and appreciation of their unique status. he said it is time the muslim world woke up to the realities of the day and opted for islam as the only straight path shown to man by God and march on that same path with resolute steps, with firm will and with unity.

"in their march on that path", he said at the conclusion of his address, "the bulk of the responsibility lies on the elite personalities of the muslim world. a responsibility that they must fulfill."

the meeting of the international guests with the leader of the islamic revolution was also on the occasion of the birth anniversary of prophet mohammad (pbuh) that is celebrated in iran over a period of seven days designated 'the unity week'

 
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