Iran’s FM highlights historical role played by Muslim scholars in India

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who has traveled to India on an official visit, said Muslim scholars have played a historical role in India and its Muslim community has played a major share in the progress and development of the South Asian country.

“Scholars of Islam have played a historical role in India and the Islamic world and their glorification and efforts for promotion of the grand ideas of Imam Khomeini (God's mercy upon him), including support for the subjugated and rejection of the separation of religion and politics are worthy of praise and commendation,” he said in a meeting with top clerics and scholars in New Delhi on Wednesday.

“In the current era, the Islamic Revolution's Leader is the flag bearer of the ideas of the late Imam,” he said during the meeting, attended by top Shia and Sunni religious scholars and clerics of India.

Amirabdollahian, while hearing the opinions, proposals and assessments of the Muslim scholars, underlined the necessity of a more accurate knowledge and understanding of plots and threats, maintenance of unity, coexistence and respect for followers of other faiths and increased readiness to counter existing pressure and restrictions against Islam and Islamic values.

He also stressed that, during his meetings with top Indian officials, he has reiterated the point that India’s Muslim community has played a major share in the progress and development of India and this valuable characteristic of the Muslim community is a result of the efforts and presence of Muslim scholars.

The foreign minister also noted that, during the meetings, top Indian officials also stressed that they take pride in the Muslim community of India and its topmost clerics and hold them in high regard and (Indian officials) mentioned this during all the meetings.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will always stand by India’s government, nation and Muslim community. The relations between India and Iran are strong and expanding, and in this regard, the presence of India’s scholars and Muslims is a firm pillar of these relations,” Amirabdollahian reiterated.

The foreign minister also underscored the unchangeable principles of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran including defense for the Islamic values and Islam’s dignity.

ME