Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Hayel Abdul Hafeez Dawood made remarks on the sidelines of an international summit in Tehran.
The following is the rough script of the interview with the minister:
Question: How do you see Imam Khomeini role in closing gaps and narrowing differences among the Muslim community?
Jordanian Minister: Imam Khomeini’s dynamic thought had played a very positive role in addressing the gaps between the Iranian society with Arab countries. Earlier than the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian society had distanced itself from the Arab countries. However, Imam‘s thought and ideals narrowed gaps and brought the Iranian and Muslim nations together.
Imam’s teachings turned Iran into an active and forefront member of the Islamic world. Iran was playing a crucial role in addressing the Islamic and Palestinian issue actively. Iran attached great significance to the Palestinian issue following the Islamic Revolution which emerged under the wise leadership of Imam Khomeini in 1979.
Question: what would be stance by the Western countries towards the developing Islamic unity among the Muslim nations?
Jordanian Minister: Some elements within the Western countries are not pleased by developing unity among the Muslim nations. They don’t want the Muslim scholars to initiate ideas , policies and strategies which can enhance unity among the Muslim community. Imam Khomeini was undoubtedly great leader in contemporary history who took very solid and concrete steps to bring the Muslim nations and countries together.
*It is noteworthy that the founder of the Islamic Republic undertook serious efforts to unite all the Islamic nations and denounced any type of division and strife among the Muslim Ummah.
Pundits believe that Imam Khomeini wanted to unite the followers of all religions under banner of monotheism and was a great supporter of the oppressed nations across the globe.