Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Nourmifidi in an Interview with IRNA: With Unity and Empathy, Muslims Can Lay the Foundation of the Great Islamic Civilization

Qom, IRNA – Professor Seyyed Mojtaba Nourmifidi: “By establishing a single, united Islamic Ummah, Muslims will not only secure benefits and advantages for their own people and other nations, but they can also lay the foundation and bring about the revival of the great Islamic civilization in the years and centuries to come.”

On Wednesday, in an interview with an IRNA reporter on the occasion of Unity Week, Professor Seyyed Mojtaba Nourmifidi added: “The issue of unity is one of the most important issues and is considered an element and pillar in the call of all divine prophets, from the beginning to the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him and his family). Establishing religion and avoiding division is the soul of all religions, and this matter has been heavily emphasized in the Qur’an.”

Stating that comfort and security are urgent human needs, he added: “The realization of this issue is achieved in the shadow of unity, while weakness and laxity among Muslims are brought about in the shadow of division.”

Emphasizing that today we need unity more than ever, he stated: “Under these circumstances, the Islamic Ummah must be extremely vigilant against divisive words and actions, and not be deceived by false claims; particularly in cyberspace, where news and statements are fabricated to sow discord among Muslims.”

He added: “Sincere speech is highly important, and all Muslims and followers of various schools of thought must behave sincerely toward one another and increase their tolerance level toward each other.”

He stressed: “Self-restraint in the face of incorrect behavior, alongside emphasizing shared doctrinal, jurisprudential, and ethical commonalities, can reduce the fire of division and block the devastating torrent of discord planned by Global Arrogance, Zionism, and America.”

He said: “In the history of mankind, conflicts and clashes stemming from sectarian and religious prejudices have always brought about human and financial losses, and the benefits of these issues have gone to the enemies.”

The Qom Seminary professor asserted: “Today, if Shias and Sunnis rely on their commonalities to form a single, unified force—considering the immense God-given resources in Islamic countries—instead of being scattered parts under the pressure and domination of foreigners, they can create a great Islamic empire and become the primary power in the world.”

He noted with regret: “Unfortunately, this is a point that some rulers and even scholars of Islamic countries are heedless of.”

He pointed out: “If the energy and strength of the Islamic Ummah are spent on differences, and material resources and human forces are dragged into and wasted on these conflicts, they will drift away from what the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) promised and hoped for—that his Ummah would be a proud nation and a guide for all nations.”

Professor Nourmifidi emphasized: “Today, when the issue of Islamophobia is being fanned in the world, particularly in the West and France, everyone must try to stand against this movement through unity, empathy, and solidarity.”

Every year, on the occasion of the birth of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his family), Unity Week is held in Iran and many Islamic countries between the 12th and 17th of Rabi’ al-Awwal. This is because the majority of Sunni Muslims believe the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal to be the birth anniversary of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), whereas the majority of Shi’a Muslims consider the 17th of Rabi’ al-Awwal to be his birth anniversary. This difference prompted Imam Khomeini (ra) to name this period Unity Week, emphasizing the necessity of ever-greater cohesion within the Islamic world.