Top Cleric: Int’l Islamic Unity Conference Is A Key Step Towards Proximity, Countering Takfiri Ideology

He emphasized that the conference, themed "The Prophet of Mercy and the Unity of the Nation," is a crucial step toward the convergence of Islamic schools of thought and confronting contemporary challenges.

In a phone interview with Radio Goftogu, Hojatoleslam Shahriari discussed the achievements of the International Islamic Unity Conference and recent shifts in the policies of some Islamic countries. He noted that the event is designed to create bridges of communication between Islamic schools of thought.

Key Themes of the 39th Conference

The 39th conference will be held from September 6 to 10, 2025, and is expected to feature over 200 submitted articles. The main themes include:

• The concept of unity and the Islamic nation
  Contemporary challenges facing the Muslim world
  The role of Islamic scholars in uniting the nation
  The impact of unity on a resistance economy and regional peace

A Shift in Saudi Arabia's Stance

Shahriari stressed the importance of unity in the Islamic world, saying it is needed now more than ever. He noted that in past decades, some countries, including Saudi Arabia, had promoted Takfiri ideology by investing in seminaries in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other countries. However, he sees a change in the Saudi approach over the past two years, with the country abandoning its previous policies and making Wahhabism subject to a policy of convergence. He added that the Saudis, for the first time, have held a conference with the goal of creating bridges between Islamic schools of thought, marking a major success for the World Forum for Proximity.

The Role of Unity in Regional Stability

Shahriari also highlighted unity's role in strengthening a resistance economy and regional cooperation. He stated that the unity of the Islamic nation can be effective in ensuring regional peace, security, and the dignity of the Islamic world. He also noted that the issue of Gaza is a central discourse, and the conference can serve as a platform to explore solutions for supporting the Palestinian people.

He concluded that the ultimate goal is to present a new Islamic civilization to the world and claim the Islamic world's share in political, economic, and cultural fields. This requires greater discourse and convergence among Islamic countries. He expressed hope that with this trend continuing, contemporary challenges, including Takfiri ideology and regional issues like Gaza, will be resolved through greater unity and convergence.