Najaf The Supreme Religious Authority, Mr. Ali Al-Sistani, received today Miguel Angel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations in charge of drawing up the plan of action of the International Organization for the Protection of Religious Sites, after the attacks that have been exposed to them in various places in the world in recent years.
The office mentioned to the Religious Authority on its official website that Al-Sistani listened to the explanation regarding that plan and the principles on which it is based and the procedures followed in this regard.
During the meeting, Al-Sistani stressed the importance of concerted efforts in promoting a culture of peaceful coexistence, rejecting violence and hatred, and establishing the values of harmony based on caring for rights and mutual respect among adherents of different religions and intellectual trends.
The Religious Authority pointed out that the tragedies suffered by many peoples and ethnic and social groups in many parts of the world – as a result of the intellectual and religious persecution practiced against them, the suppression of basic freedoms and the absence of social justice – had a role in the emergence of some extremist movements that use blind violence against civilians, isolation and attacking religious centers and archaeological sites of others who differ with her in thought or belief.
He stressed the need to address the backgrounds of these phenomena, which are rejected and condemned in all circumstances, and to work hard to achieve a degree of justice and tranquility in various societies befitting human dignity as Almighty God wanted it, which contributes to reducing the atmosphere conducive to the spread of extremist ideas.
Al-Sistani expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations in this regard, wishing Moratinos success in performing his mission, and asked him to convey his greetings to Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
