The director of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and a number of governors of the central banks of Islamic countries met the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, April 6.
In an address to the audience, the Leader referred to the capabilities and potentials of the Islamic world, stressing that Muslims should prove in practice that their capabilities are an undeniable reality. He noted that Islamic countries are able to play a determining role in world politics and human progress.
Ayatollah Khamenei considered the formation of the IDB and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) a great stride in the area of cooperation among Islamic countries. He stated that the Islamic world should take pride in its Islamic ideology and try to introduce progressive Islamic precepts in different spheres.
Elsewhere in his statements, the Leader touched on the efforts that are being made by certain powers to prevent Islamic countries from making progress and playing an effective role in world politics. He considered such efforts a serious encroachment on the rights of Muslim nations.
"Through self-confidence, belief in their capabilities and potentials as well as increased efforts and perseverance, Muslims should counteract the attempts that are being made to eliminate Islamic countries from world politics and decision-making process, and they should refuse to submit to the demands of the arrogant powers," he stated.
Pointing to the fact that the United States is pursuing the main goal of dominating the Islamic world, Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that the ‘Great Middle East' plan that has been proposed by the United States is aimed at establishing a vast country called the Middle East, in which the Zionist regime will play a pivotal and central role and wield control over all the natural resources of the region.
The Leader stressed that another objective of the plan is to bring Muslims under Western domination and influence.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the abundant resources of Islamic countries, including their oil and gas resources which constitute a major portion of the world's oil and gas as well as their talented human resources.
"The Islamic world can attain a high status and play a decisive role at the international level by utilizing its resources and through wisdom, prudence and unity," he noted.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic also expressed his appreciation for the valuable services that are being rendered by the IDB and the IFSB. He stressed the need to expand cooperation and boost exchanges among Islamic countries.
Speaking at the meeting, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Ebrahim Shaibani, briefed the Leader on the increased adoption of Islamic banking in the world, including in the non-Islamic countries.
Shaibani also referred to the objectives pursued by establishing the IFSB, noting that the formulation of a fixed procedure for Islamic banking operations, the transfer of Islamic banking experience, communication with international organizations and the study of new contracts in Islamic banking are among the main duties of the IFSB.
The IDB Director, Ahmad Mohammad Ali, also speaking at the meeting, elaborated on the present status of the Islamic banking procedure and its increased adoption in the world.
He further expressed his gratitude for the role that has been played by the Islamic Republic of Iran in initiating Islamic banking and promoting cooperation among Islamic countries in this area.