Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Tehran is committed to Islamic unity and has no disputes with other Muslim nations, urging countries in the region to resist efforts by outside powers to sow division.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 39th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran, Pezeshkian said, “We have no quarrel with any Muslim country and are not seeking conflict. We are committed to the unity of the Islamic Ummah.”
He told participants that external powers sought to profit from discord among Muslims. “The enemy sells weapons to Islamic countries, takes their resources, and wants to set us against each other,” Pezeshkian said. “If the Islamic community were united, could America, Israel or any other country violate the rights of Muslims?”
“The problem is us, not America or Israel. The problem lies in the disputes, divisions and quarrels we have among ourselves.”
The president said Iran considered all Muslims as brothers, including Palestinians, Iraqis, Egyptians, Qataris and Emiratis. “This is not only a slogan, but our belief,” he added, pointing to what he described as Iran’s resilience during the recent 12-day war with Israel.
He said Iran’s unity had prevented its adversaries from achieving their goals.
“The enemy thought a few missiles would make our people turn against the system, but instead the people showed solidarity,” Pezeshkian said. He added that while military power was important, the stronger “slap” to Iran’s enemies had come from national unity.
He also urged Islamic leaders and scholars to promote justice and brotherhood. “You are the elders of religion and must spread the Prophet’s message of justice and unity. We may have differences of opinion, but we must not act against unity,” he said.
The president said Iran appreciated condemnation by Muslim countries of US and Israeli actions but insisted more collective action was needed. “If we act sincerely and on the basis of justice and piety, the other side will surrender,” Pezeshkian said. “This conference is a beginning to break division and establish the brotherhood ordered by the Prophet.”
The 39th International Islamic Unity Conference will run from September 8-10 in Tehran with the theme “The Prophet of Mercy and the Islamic Ummah.” Organizers said more than 1,000 participants, including 80 scholars, 210 foreign guests and 2,800 activists from across the Muslim world, are attending.
