Akhtari: Ahlul Bayt World Assembly has created a network between 140 countries' Shiites
According to Ahlul Bayt News Agency – ABNA - Hujjat al-Islam "Mohammad Hassan Akhtari", Ahlul Bayt World Assembly's secretary-general, had an interview with one of the most visited websites in Ivory Coast called "Plume Libre". In this interview, he briefly introduced the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly and its activities and connection around the world.
The complete text of the interview is as follows:
Please explain the purpose of your trip in brief
Thank God that I was able to take a trip to Western Africa in these times. The main aim was to take part in the ceremony of the Muridieh group of Senegal in Dakar. After Senegal I was able to take a trip to Ivory Coast. It was a great chance to meet scholars, Friday Prayers leaders, Imams, and figures like Abubakr Fofana. We believe that Islamic Republic and Ivory Coast officials should meet one another more often to strengthen the bonds. Just a few days ago, the Ivory Coast's Minister of Foreign Affairs took a trip to Tehran and met with Iranian officials. Both Iranian officials and people have great respect for African people and leaders, especially the Ivory Coast's.
What are your organization's plans regarding Ahlul Bayt (A)?
Ahlul Bayt World Assembly has members from all over the world and today we are in touch with Shiites in 140 countries. Currently we are in touch with over 30 organizations and institutions. We attempt at meeting the needs of Muslims and the oppressed and support them completely. In order to familiarize people with Islam and Quran, we publish books, articles, magazines etc. until today, we have published 1700 books in 26 languages. We make a great deal efforts in building mosques, schools, libraries, clinics etc. we have an internet portal under the name "Ahlul Bayt" which is available for everyone. The website WIKISHIA.NET is also one of our efforts which is run in 8 languages. ABNA News Agency broadcasts news in 22 languages. We have the Ahlul Bayt University which has students from different countries. One of our important activities is to clear the doubts and answer questions about the Holy Prophet Muhammad and Islam.
We state our ideas and beliefs regarding international and regional issues. In issues regarding Bahrain, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria etc. we express our opinions, issue statements, take measures, send delegations, send letters and give and get interviews. In the Assembly we have society of women, youth, doctors etc. we take serious stances when it comes to terrorist attacks around the world and condemn all of them. The Assembly has always tried to defend the truth and the oppressed people. We condemned the Boko Haram actions in capturing women and girls. We support Palestine which stands strongly against Israel. We send aids to where there has happened a natural disaster like tsunami in Indonesia and flood in Pakistan. In case a mosque or a religious institute is in need of books, we send our books to them.
This was a brief explanation of our activities which evolve around the principles of avoiding conflict and sectarianism. We have participated in all the big Islamic conferences and book fairs around the world. Our policy is based on tolerance and cooperation with Muslims and non-Muslims, peace, friendship, brotherhood, and support of the weak.