Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; Dushanbe - The opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan on Tuesday called on the people of Tajikistan to promote peace and unity in the context of the recent acts of violence.
"Certain domestic and foreign enemies of the Tajik people want to sow the seeds of discord and enmity in the ancient land of Tajikistan despite the [June 1997] general agreement of peace and accord in this country that brought our people and republic long-awaited peace," the only legal Islamic party in the former Soviet Union said.
"Extremism has always threatened our country but the culture of reconciliation, mutual understanding, tolerance and forgiveness saved it from destruction," a party statement says.
"It is not enough today to denounce murders and explosions or express condolences. The time has come to take confident steps toward peace and national unity. At this hour the country's clergy, the followers of Islam should prove to everyone that our religion professes peace, unity and construction," the statement says.
"The party strongly condemns the attack on members of the armed forces of Tajikistan in Rasht and expresses condolences to the families and friends of servicemen killed in the horrible act," the statement says.
The Islamic Renaissance Party was regarded as the motivated force of the Tajik opposition and is now the second biggest party in Tajikistan with a membership of 40,000.
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