Islamic Unity in a Multireligious World: Responsibilities and Horizons at the Dawn of Christmas and the New Year

As the world marks the birth of Jesus Christ (PBUH) and steps into a new Gregorian year, humanity once again pauses at a symbolic crossroads—between memory and hope, conflict and reconciliation. In this reflective season, the question of religious coexistence and moral responsibility gains renewed urgency.

For the Islamic world, particularly through the lens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the concept of Taqrib al-Madhahib (Islamic proximity) is not merely an internal theological project, but a civilizational responsibility in an increasingly fractured global order.

Christmas is not only a Christian celebration; it is also a moment of shared reverence in Islam. The Qur’an honors Jesus (PBUH) as one of the greatest messengers of God and dedicates an entire chapter to his mother, Mary (PBUH).

This shared spiritual heritage creates a natural platform for dialogue, empathy, and moral convergence.

At the dawn of the New Year, societies reassess their values and trajectories. In a world scarred by religious extremism, Islamophobia, sectarian violence, and geopolitical manipulation of faith, the message of unity—both within Islam and among religions—becomes not optional, but essential.

Islamic Unity Beyond Sectarian Boundaries

The idea of Islamic unity does not seek to erase doctrinal differences between Sunni and Shia schools of thought. Rather, it emphasizes mutual respect, intellectual honesty, and cooperation in the face of common challenges. This approach has been a cornerstone of the Islamic Republic of Iran since its inception.

Imam Ali (AS) famously stated:

“People are of two kinds: either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity.”
(Nahj al-Balagha)

This principle transcends sectarianism and situates unity within a broader ethical framework—one that recognizes human dignity as divinely rooted.

The Vision of the Islamic Republic

From its early days, the Islamic Republic has articulated unity as a strategic and moral imperative. Imam Khomeini (RA), the late founder of Islamic Revolution, repeatedly warned that division among Muslims serves only the interests of colonial and imperial powers. He famously declared:

“Those who create discord among Muslims are neither Sunni nor Shia; they are agents of the enemies of Islam.”

This vision reframed Islamic unity not as a tactical compromise, but as an act of resistance against domination, injustice, and cultural erasure.

In this sense, Islamic unity becomes inseparable from the broader revolutionary ideals of independence, justice, and support for the oppressed, ideals that continue to define Iran’s regional and global outlook.

Unity in a Multireligious World

While Islamic unity begins within the Muslim ummah, it does not end there. The Islamic Republic has consistently emphasized interfaith dialogue grounded in dignity rather than submission, and cooperation rather than assimilation.

At a time when Christianity itself is facing internal challenges, secularization, moral relativism, and political instrumentalization, the shared ethical teachings of Islam and Christianity offer a counter-narrative to materialism and moral decay.

Justice, compassion, family values, and resistance to oppression are not owned by any single faith; they are divine trusts shared among them.

As Imam Ali (AS) advised rulers:

“Be a source of mercy for your subjects, love for them, and kindness toward them.”

Such teachings resonate deeply with Christian ethics and provide common ground for religious actors confronting injustice worldwide.

The Role of Religious Leadership

The Leader of Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, has repeatedly stressed that unity is not a slogan but a strategic necessity. He has warned against sectarian incitement, calling it a deliberate project designed to weaken Muslim societies from within. In one notable statement, he emphasized:

“Any word or action that deepens divisions among Muslims is a service to the enemies of Islam, regardless of who utters it.”

This perspective situates unity as a form of political and moral vigilance—one that requires awareness, education, and courage, especially in the age of social media and psychological warfare.

Christmas, New Year, and Moral Renewal

The coincidence of Christmas and the New Year offers a symbolic reminder: renewal is both spiritual and social. Just as individuals make resolutions, nations and religious communities must reassess their commitments.

For the Islamic Republic, this moment reinforces a long-standing message: resistance to injustice must go hand in hand with unity, and identity must coexist with dialogue. Unity does not mean silence in the face of oppression, nor does dialogue mean surrender of principles.

A Responsibility, Not a Choice

As the New Year begins, Islamic unity must be understood not as a concern in the world of Islam, but as a contribution to global peace. In a multireligious world hungry for meaning and justice, the model of principled unity promoted by the Islamic Republic of Iran offers an alternative to both sectarian chaos and cultural homogenization.

In honoring Jesus Christ (PBUH) during Christmas and welcoming the New Year, Muslims are reminded that divine messages were never meant to divide humanity—but to guide it toward justice, dignity, and peace.

And perhaps, in this shared moment of reflection, the world may rediscover what Imam Ali (AS) taught centuries ago: that unity is not weakness, but wisdom.