In the conference of "Interaction Strategies of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.) with International Cultural Activists" Ali Akbar Velayati added, "Extremists have tried to tarnish Islam face in the worst possible way and depict it as a barbaric religion". This conference was held at Astan Quds Razavi's Islamic Research Foundation.
He said, "Except Iran, all other Islamic countries suffer from lack of competent men and security and it is Iran which is the only stronghold for Islam and the best defender of this religion".
Head of center for Strategic Research of Expediency Discernment Council went on, "There is no safe place for Sunni and Shia Muslims in the Islamic World but Imam Reza's (A.S.) Holy Shrine. This potential and readiness can now be seen in Razavi Shrine to change it into an Islamic center for the world".
"Imam Reza's (A.S.) presence in Khorasan has brought lots of blessings for this region and an encyclopedia must be prepared on his role in different aspects", he added.
Velayati stated, "Hazrat Reza (A.S.) rescued Islam from atheists, skeptics and followers of Greek and other philosophies, made Muslim community more united, and directed Shi’ites in the its right way". He also said, "Imam's (A.S.) shrine has also been an origin of blessing for Muslim world".
He said, "Iran is a hope for the entire world Muslims and this country's blessing comes from Razavi Shrine's spirituality which has got Islam rid of deviation and doubt and finally took Shias and Sunnis closer".
Head of center for Strategic Research of Expediency Discernment Council added, "Since the beginning of his immigration from Medina to Merv, Imam Reza's (A.S.) presence had been a reason behind the existence of goods and blessings. Despite of Ma’mun's pressure on Imam (A.S.) for living in Khorasan, Merv changed into a very big city for Islamic relations then".
Supreme Leader's advisor for international affairs stressed, "Imam Reza (A.S.) founded a seminary school in Merv which, based on some historians, had about four thousand pupils. However, the school got closed by Ma’mun, when he saw people's interest in this school".
"Imam Reza (A.S.) appointed some people as his representative and dispatched them to various regions so that they can propagate right Islam and counteract the deviations imposed by Umayyads and Abbasids", Velayati went on.
He added, "There are many reasons saying that Imam Reza's (A.S.) shrine has been respected by both Sunnis and Shias". He also said, "Imam Reza's (A.S.) presence eliminated Isma'ilism and Zaidism sects and led to the coherence and unity of Shiite and increased people's interest in twelve Shiite".
Ba'athis formed the Central Core of ISIS
Noting that ISIS is a combination of Ba'athis and supporters of Sadaam, head of center for strategic researches of expediency council added, "These are the very groups of people who were called communist by Ayatollah Hakim as these people don't believe in God, spirituality, and supernatural events and they're infidel".
He said, "ISIS's core was formed by Ba'athis and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was one of the most influential members of Ba'ath party who introduced himself as a Khalifa".
Velayati added, "Western media is also working as enemy's trumpet. Broadcasting beheading scenes of innocent civilians, it introduces this small group as the Islamic state".
He stated, "In her book of memories, Hilary Clinton, US secretary of state in Obama's first term of presidency confesses that ISIS has been formed by the US and it was US regime which made the Islamic world insecure".
Velayati added, "Like a seven-headed dragon westerners and Americans try to demolish Islam and Muslims and it has only been Muslims who have been fighting against dissension and disbelief otherwise religious people and places of the west such as Vatican has played no role in this area".
He said, "Except attending his religious ceremony on every Sunday in the church and recommending people, the Pope can do nothing since European spirituality and dignity has lost his face in a way that pope is not dare enough to talk about".
