According to the Public Relations of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, Ali Mohammad Helmi, the Iranian cultural attaché in Greece met with Hamza Othman, the Mufti of Didymoteicho, Greece, at the Muftiate of the city and talked about how to develop religious and academic cooperation.
At the beginning of the meeting, first Hamza Othman provided a report on his recent visit to Iran and his participation in the opening ceremony of Mashhad, the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2017.
Then, referring to the need for the unity of the Islamic Ummah to overcome the problems of the Islamic world, Hamza Othman stated: "At this time, the unity of the Islamic Ummah is more important and urgent than ever and the Islamic Republic of Iran carries out valuable programs and activities in this regard".
Following the meeting, providing a report on the performance of the Muftiate of the Didymoteicho, Hamza Othman stated: "We are trying to keep alive the Islamic issues as much as possible among young people, hence religious and Quran education courses are taught in Muslim schools and sometimes special classes are held. In addition, we carry out maintenance and repair of the Islamic works and we have a good relationship with the Greek government".
Following the meeting, referring to the important responsibility of the leaders of the monotheistic religions, especially the leaders of the Islamic world, Ali Mohammad Helmi stated: "Today, the religious leaders and Muslims have heavy duties to educate the children of the Islamic Ummah and they should try to maintain their cultural and religious identity and transfer it to their children".
Referring to the necessity of the presence of Muslims in the Northern Greece in the international arena and Muslim communities, the Iranian cultural attaché in Greece stated: "A decision should be made for an active presence of Muslims in the Northern Greece in international programs of the Islamic world; hence we are ready to host religious scholars and authorities in religious affairs in programs such as international competitions of recitation and memorization of the holy Quran, sending reciters and teachers for teaching the holy Quran in Greek schools, and providing books needed in Muslim community in the Northern Greece".
Ali Mohammad Helmi added: "Unfortunately, terrorist groups supported by the United States and some Western countries and a number of Arabic countries in the region engage in criminal acts against their Muslim brothers and unfortunately they commit their ugly crimes in the name of Islam and in an international level they tarnish the sacred face of Islam which is the religion of mercy and kindness".
The Iranian cultural attaché in Greece also stated: "Given these conditions, the duties of believers and religious authorities is very heavy to show the real face of Islam; as these terrorist groups have nothing to do with the real Islam and are a great danger to the Muslim world and the peaceful life of the followers of divine religions that this ominous phenomenon should be dealt with consultation and cooperation with religious and academic scholars. The sacred face of Islam and divine religions should not be allowed to be tarnished in public opinion".
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