Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei here on Friday called unity among Muslims the most significant and indispensable requirement of the Islamic world.
The Leader stated that the Muslim Ummah needs to be unified in order to maintain its status, keep the banner of Islam aloft, and overcome difficulties, reiterating that unity among Muslims is the top priority.
Speaking at a gathering of government officials and foreign guests attending the International Islamic Unity Conference and representatives of Islamic states based in Tehran, he felicitated the Iranian nation and the Muslim Ummah on the auspicious birth anniversaries of Prophet Mohammad (S) and Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS).
Referring to the Holy Prophet as an instructor of virtue, justice, humanitarianism, knowledge, brotherhood, maturity, and perfection, he stressed that even today humanity still needs to practice the lessons taught by Prophet Mohammad (S).
"Given that the dilemmas facing the Islamic world are partly due to the inefficiencies, materialism, and divisions among Muslims, the Islamic world should improve upon its past performance," he added.
The Leader attributed part of the problems of the Islamic world to the unrighteous system based on pressure and hegemony currently dominating the world.
"The global powers depict their wrongdoings and criminal acts as reasonable measures by relying on their force, weapons, and political and monetary power. The current situations in Palestine and Iraq are a clear example of this," he added.
Commenting on the Zionist regime's policy of assassinating Palestinian leaders, Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the U.S. government, which is using its so-called campaign against terrorism as a pretext to exercise force and power, approves such acts through its overt and official support of the Zionist leaders' crimes.
He referred to the occupation of Iraq and the oppression of the Iraqi nation as an international crime and said that the occupiers justify their act by saying it is in defense of human rights, democracy, and freedom.
"However, what is going on in Iraq is a clear violation of human rights and the Iraqis' right to choose their own government," he added.
On the ability of the Islamic Ummah to defend itself under such disastrous conditions, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Muslims' material and spiritual potential as well as their cultural and civilizational background, saying that lack of unity among Muslims is the main factor responsible for their current plight.
Stressing that the U.S. threats backed by the Zionist capitalists target the entire Islamic world and the vast wealth of the region, he said that the greater Middle East initiative was also formulated within the framework of that objective.
"The governments as well as the men of culture and religion of the Islamic world are strongly committed to promoting unity among Muslims, since the Islamic world would be set back by a century if the enemies succeeded in taking over the region," he added.
At the beginning of the meeting, President Mohammad Khatami congratulated the Leader, the Iranian nation, and the entire Islamic Ummah on the occasion of the birth anniversaries of Prophet Mohammad (S) and Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS).
Commenting on the current international situation, which is marked by oppression, loss of faith, and a lack of respect for human dignity, Khatami said that today more than ever humanity needs to understand the lessons taught by Prophet Mohammad (S) and to practice them correctly.