Hujjat al-Islam Raufi, religious expert of International Institute of Islamic Studies, in the sideline of the initiation and in an interview with Astan News correspondent said, “Twenty of Sunni sisters, who are the religious and cultural meetings activists in Africa, during a ten-day trip to Iran visited the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Ma’sumeh (A.S.), and then pursued their spiritual journey attending the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.).”
“The main aim of the group members for this trip, was pilgrimage of Imam Reza (A.S.), which was fortunately bestowed to them, and addition to pilgrimage of the Infallibles, they got acquainted with religious and cultural attractions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and by presence in a Shi’ite community, they were able to know the Shia school better” he stated, mentioning the aim of initiation of the pilgrimage group, as visiting Imam Reza (A.S.) Holy Shrine.
“Prior to sedition and conspiracy of Wahhabism against Sunnis and Shi’ites, thankfully religious relations were admirable; however, conspiracies of Wahhabi and Salafi against the two religions, made little differences existed, to be exacerbated in some areas by Western media, and divisiveness expanded” Rastifar reminded, highlighting the relations between Sunnis and Shi’ites in the continent of Africa.
“Fortunately, organizing such trips partly undoes the plots of the enemy against the religion of Islam, and the spiritual journeys indicate that there is brotherhood and friendship between religions of Sunni and Shi’ite, and it is strengthening” the religious expert of the International Institute of Islamic Studies enunciated.
Stating that Astan Quds Razavi in various fields, especially initiation of non-Iranian pilgrimage groups has the necessary cooperation with relevant authorities he expressed, “Astan Quds Razavi in terms of facilities, consultation etc., has offered a decent and significant cooperation, which we appreciate the respectable Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi and all the officials of Astan Quds Razavi, who have provided the conditions for presence of non-Iranian pilgrims, and we hope Imam Reza (A.S.) always protect these servants.”
