Tehran, 2007 Oct 25, IQNA

The second Conference of Shia and Sunni Ulama and Scholars came to conclusion Wednesday night in Tehran.

The attendees issued a statement at the end of the conference calling on all Muslims to hold fast to the Rope of God and strengthen fraternity and unity.

Part of the statement, which was read out by secretary of the conference Sayed Mohammad Javad Vaziri, reads:

At a time when the enemies of Islam have pledged to destroy Muslims, have occupied Muslim lands and are plotting to undermine Islamic identity, and at a time when Islam is challenging the principles of liberalism, it is more than ever incumbent upon Muslims to take every step toward strengthening unity and fraternity.

Unity among Muslims is the principal basis of the Islamic society and is necessary for withstanding the enemies’ ploys and enmities. The enemies spare no efforts to sow seeds of discord among Muslims, especially now, after facing defeat in Islamic countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Shia and Sunni scholars and Ulama are, therefore, duty-bound to make efforts to defuse the enemies’ ploys by boosting unity and solidarity among Muslims around the world.

The statement also called for establishing a permanent secretariat for the Conference of Shia and Sunni Ulama and Scholars in order for following up on the decisions made at the conference and trying to find ways for removing obstacle to Islamic unity and solidarity.

The second Conference of Shia and Sunni Ulama and Scholars was held Tuesday and Wednesday, October 23-4, in Tehran.