Saeed Shehabi made the statements in an exclusive interview with the English-language newspaper, ‘Iran Daily’, published Saturday, on the sidelines of the conference.
Responding to a question by the daily as to who the confab can help create unity among Muslim states and eradicate the threats posed by terrorist groups such as the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Shehabi said, Islamic unity has always been a goal for many thinkers and leaders. However, forces from within and outside the Islamic world have been at work against that goal. First of all, the world does not want to see a strong Muslim entity. Secondly, the spread of blissful ignorance in certain nations, particularly among the young generations, has posed serious threats to Islamic states.
Besides, the lack of effective religious leadership within the Islamic Ummah, particularly in the Sunni world has created a vacuum. Consequently, the ISIL has exploited this vacuum and has presented itself as a viable alternative to the established hierarchy of the leadership.
On his opinion of how destructive the ISIL and its followers can be to unity among the Muslims, the political analysit said that he believes the ISIL and its followers have not only been misguided, but also diverted from the fundamental ideology of Islam. They have created divisions and rifts among Muslim ethnicities and states instead of supporting their unity.
Hence, whatever they do is destructive to Islam and Muslims.
They also sow seeds of discord among Muslims, and trigger factional disputes by creating their own image of Islam in an attempt to achieve their sinister goals. These plots are linked to atrocities, such as dismemberment and decapitation perpetrated by the extremists in some Islamic states.
Unless brilliant Islamic scholars come up with a strong and effective leadership, the challenges posed by ISIL will grow.
In answer as to what measures can the conference take to foil the plots of extremists, he said that this conference can create an environment of understanding of dialogue, discourse and debate.
However, the conference cannot rectify the situation if it lacks a serious will.
Unless the leaders and people who are attending the conference put their plans into action, the goal would remain elusive.
Effective leadership and guidance are essential to fill the gaps and the vacuum in Islamic states to surmount the obstacles.
I think the conference is a good chance for those who are coming from many places — from Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Egypt and other states.
They can make a difference provided they make tenacious efforts and take right decisions.
On what practical steps can Islamic states take to fill the gaps and vacuum utilized by terrorists and make a difference, he said, firstly, they can provide education to the youth. Second, they should foster unity wherever they are and safeguard it. Besides, they can go to each other’s mosques and talk to each other.
Moreover, they can establish centers; hold local meetings and conferences wherever all Muslims are present. Furthermore, they should engage the young in courses of speech and debate in an effort to prevent them falling prey to extremists.
Tehran hosted the 28th International Islamic Unity Conference on Wednesday and was attended by hundreds of Sunni and Shia scholars and intellectuals from more than 60 countries.
The three-day gathering was organized by Tehran-based World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thoughts (WFPIST) and was titled “Unified Islamic Ummah: Challenges and Strategies”.
