Envoy reiterates shiite-sunni unity in Iran

Iran's Cultural Counselor in India Kareem Najafi underlined the strong unity and solidarity between the Shiite and Sunni Muslims in Iran.Speaking during a visit to Lucknow on Saturday, the diplomat said Shiite and Sunni Muslims in Iran are conducting a peaceful life alongside each other. "Both communities live in peace. After the revolution when the Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown there has been no acrimony between two communities," said Najafi.Citing examples of harmony in Iran, Najafi stated that after the revolution Sunnis have had the freedom to practice their faith. "They have their own mosques, schools and practice their faith freely," he said. Najafi also stated that one week of celebration is observed in Iran from 12 Rabiul Awwal to 17 Rabiul Awwal so that both Shiite and Sunnis can celebrate Prophet's birthday as per their beliefs. He also praised Nawal Kishore Printing Press of Lucknow stating that it has done yeomen service for strengthening Indo-Iranian relations. The press by printing thousands of books has made the friendship bond between two countries stronger. "There are more than 3000 books printed at the same press in urdu, Arabic and Persian. The books have gone a long way in nurturing the relations between two countries," said Najafi. He also praised the two countries' age-old relations, and stated that Indo-Iranian relations were present even before the advent of Islam. "The two countries had relations more than 5000 years ago. With the advent of Islam the bond became stronger," he said. Najafi also cited that famous saints of India as Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Syed Ali Hamdani of Kashmir and even Nawabs of Awadh had Iranian linkage in their pedigree. Najafi also praised Mahatma Gandhi stating that Gandhi and the Late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khamenei in Iran ousted the oppressive regimes in their countries and established democracy and peace.