Senior Iranian Cleric: “Muslim unity is the axis for upcoming Hajj pilgrimage”

Representative of the Supreme Leader in Hajj Affairs noted that unity and determination of Muslims as the axes for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.Hujjat-ol- Islam Seyyed Ali Ghazi Askar, Head of Iran’s Organization for Hajj Affairs announced “Hajj , Honor, Solidarity and Islamic Responsibility” as the motto for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage and referred to various cultural programs to boost Muslim solidarity scheduled by the office.He called the motto a manifest of honor, glory and commitment of Iranian pilgrims towards religious and national values.According to the Iranian head of Iran’s Hajj affairs, explaining the capabilities of Muslims to reform their situation and shedding more light on honorable behavior of Islamic Republic of Iran in its foreign relations is another reason for choosing the motto.On the role of solidarity in Hajj he said,” What was especially stressed by late founder of Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) and the Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has been Islamic unity and particularly manifest of the realization of the ideal during Hajj pilgrimage.”He also stressed warning Islamic communities against anti-Islam and Iranophobic policies of some countries.Representative of the Supreme Leader in Hajj Affairs highlighted the importance of confrontation with religious division noting,” foiling the widespread efforts of the enemies to wage tribal and religious clashes following the Islamic Awakening and as well as the leading role of Islamic Republic of Iran in boosting Islamic unity were among the ideas included in the motto for Hajj 2012.”Iranian cleric counted, explaining the grounds and practical measures to boost Islamic unity in meetings with Islamic figures from other countries, wide participation of Iranian pilgrims in collective prayers as the programs for increasing solidarity of Muslims in the upcoming pilgrimage.Based on this Iranian Hajj authority, notifying Muslim elites in terms of their responsibility towards the issues of Muslim world, importance of protecting achievements of Islamic Awakening and avoiding extremism are some other programs for Iran’s Hajj organization.This year the programs by Iranian Hajj Organization comprises explaining the mutual views on priorities of Muslim world in meeting with Islamic elites from other countries, formation of special unions and exchange of viewpoints and experiences in practical strategies.As the biggest global congregation, Hajj pilgrimage gathers millions of Muslims from across the world to pray and perform traditional visit to religious sites in Saudi Arabia.The time is counted as the unique opportunity for Muslim community to exchange views on the contemporary issues of the Muslims. /129