Larijani warns of plots to divide Shiites, Sunnis

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani warned Islamic nations against the plots hatched by the arrogant powers to create a rift between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Addressing the 11th meeting of the fourth round of Experts Assembly in Tehran on Tuesday, Larijani described attempts to sow discord between Shiites and Sunnis as among the ominous strategies of the world arrogant powers and a plot to stop the Muslim Iranian nation's progress through widening gaps among various ethnic and religious groups. He reiterated that despite such plots and pressures by the enemies, the Islamic Republic is in desirable conditions among the regional and neighboring countries, and praised the Iranian officials' wisdom and accuracy in their decisions under the leadership of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. In relevant remarks in October, Commander of Iran's Basij (volunteer) force Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi had also underlined the necessity of solidarity in the Muslim world, saying unity among Islamic sects foils enemies' plots and helps to growth and expansion of Islamic awakening. "Today, Shiites and Sunnis have together defused the inauspicious plots of the enemies of the Revolution through unity and brotherhood and expanded the Islamic awakening through unity, vigilance and awareness…" Naqdi said at the time. Pointing to the growing tides of Islamic awakening in the region, he noted, "In Muslim states, the Islamic awakening is also the result of the unity between the Shiites and Sunnis." Also in July, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said enemies are deeply fearful of unity and solidarity among the regional and Muslim states and are, thus, seeking to sow discord among the regional nations through different plots. Speaking in a meeting with the United Arab Emirates incoming Envoy to Tehran Saif Mohammed Obaid al-Zaabi at the time, Ahmadinejad said, "Enemies are striving to sow discord among religious brothers and the regional nations should be vigilant against enemies' plots and not allow them to exercise their plans against the region." "There are many vicious thoughts and hands that are fearful of brotherhood and unity among regional governments and nations because regional cooperation will only harm the enemies of the region," Ahmadinejad said.