Addressing a gathering of clerics and religious scholars of Golestan province in north of Iran, President Hassan Rouhani praised brotherhood, friendship and unity among various ethnic and religious groups in the province and said all the people, regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds should be unified for development of their country.
Rouhani said that the differences among religious groups are minor and negligible and emphasized that all Islamic sects adhered to Quran, Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his Household.
He went on saying that Ijtihad (Jurisprudent's interpretation of Islamic decrees) in Islam is very valuable and means better understanding, solving different complications, and meeting community needs with reference to Quran and Tradition, adding that it could be problematic if our society demands are not addressed by teachings of Islam.
President Rouhani said that in recent decades, the most beautiful day was once the Islamic movement and Revolution in Iran gained victory while no one believed the victory of a nation led by a religious figure and Cleric, without being connected to any of the superpowers.
The president said that the victory of Islamic Revolution was the victory of Islam and the world witnessed that Islam is not only a personal matter, but also a religion that could lead to a revolution.
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the Islamic Revolution proved that it is a political religion which can stand against the world's superpowers. He went on saying that the most bitter time for the Muslims is a day when Salafi and Takfiri terrorists behead a man in the name of Islam and their action represents an ugly, distorted face of Islam which is the most merciful religion in the world.
The president pointed out that Iranophobia has declined in the past few years, calling it an honor for the Islamic Republic of Iran that its proposal to the United Nations called World Against Violence and Extremism was unanimously approved by UN member states.
Hassan Rouhani said that Islamic jurisprudence should increase unity among Shia and Sunni sects, different ethnic groups, and the whole Muslim world.