TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhnai suggested on Sunday that the Islamic countries should counter the ideology and discourse of violence.

Addressing the international Islamic unity conference in Tehran, which brought together 400 scholars from 70 countries, Rouhani also said, “It is our greatest duty today to correct the image of Islam in world’s public opinion.”

The three-day international event will revolve around the current crises facing the Muslim nations. The main purpose of the gathering is to focus on problems that have beset the Islamic world, particularly the threat posed by the takfiri ideology and sectarianism.

“Under the current volatile situation in the region [the Middle East region] and the world of Islam, we all should feel a huge duty on our shoulder,” Rouhani said.

Elsewhere, Rouhani said the undermining and the ruining of Syria and Iraq only benefit the Zionist regime of Israel.

Rouhani also said the Muslims should join hands and invite all regional and extra regional Islamic countries, even those which have bombarded their neighboring countries [ an indirect reference to the Saudi attacks on Yemen], to choose the “right path” which is negotiation.

For example Iran succeeded to resolve the most complicated international issue by negotiation in a way that benefits all the negotiating sides, he said in reference to the July 14 nuclear agreement between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).

He added that most serious problems in the world can be resolved through dialogue.

--- ‘Terrorists abuse economic poverty’ ---

Rouhani also said takfiri terrorists recruit members who suffer from cultural and economic poverty. “So, let’s eradicate cultural and financial poverty in our societies.”

The president also criticized Muslim countries for “being silent in the face of all the killing and bloodshed” in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.

“Violence starts exactly where people quit mental equilibrium and moderate dialogue.”

He added, “If the world wants peace, all have to work together against extremism, violence and terrorism.”

--- ‘Muslim scholars should counter evil plots’---

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior foreign policy advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, also said Muslim scholars should counter the “evil plots of enemies”.

“The main responsibility and mission of intellectuals and thinkers of the world of Islam who have gathered in the Islamic unity conference is to identify the enemies’ evil plots,” Velayati told the conference participants.

He also said the avowed enemies of Islamic countries have spared no efforts in gaining benefits from the geopolitical situation of the Islamic world, adding that the Islamic world is in its most sensitive juncture in history.

Elsewhere, the veteran politician said that the main objective of the conference should be preventing division in the world of Islam.

---‘Iraqis standing against terrorists on behalf of Muslim world’---

Also speaking at the conference, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari called on different Islamic denominations and sects to follow the very path of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

“Muslim nations should learn from their prophet, follow his commands, and show the world they are united,” Jaafari said.

He added, “The political, social, economic, theoretical and security turmoil in Islamic countries stem from lack of will among Muslims.”

“Terrorists from almost 100 countries have come to Iraq but we could stand against them despite their large number and therefore, we are today witnessing their withdrawal,” Jafari remarked.

“While the terrorists were present in about 55% of our country some time ago, today they (merely) control 19% of our territories and we are witnessing their failure,” the chief diplomat noted.

---‘Hezbollah proved terrorism is not invincible’---

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem also told the conference that terrorist groups are “not invincible”.

Lebanon proved that terrorists, including all the takfiri groups, can be defeated, Qassem said, highlighting that Hezbollah as well as the Lebanese army managed to protect the country from all the terrorist plots and dangers.

--- ‘No country is safe from consequences of terrorism’ ---

Mehmet Gurmez, head of the Turkish Religious Affairs Organization, said, “At present we are witnessing a wide scope of religious violence by all enemies of Islam.”

Expressing concern over the critical situation in Syria, Yemen, Nigeria, and some other Islamic states, Gurmez noted, “During the past years Takfiri groups have been committing different forms of crimes and at present no home in the world of Islam is safe from terror attacks.”

------ ‘Syrians should decide their future’---

Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun also said the people of his country “must determine the fate and future”.

He expressed hope that the next Islamic unity conference would be held in Damascus.

The mufti stressed that the duty of divine religions is to raise people’s awareness which is the main tool to fight terrorism.

--------- ‘Fighting the terrorism ideology’

Ammar Hakim, head of the Supreme Council of Iraq, also said, “Emergence of Takfiri groups like Deash is due to religious and sectarian prejudices and that is a threat for the entire world.”

The senior Iraqi cleric said the Islamic world is facing great challenges which are targeting the beliefs and culture of Muslims.

He also said some countries lend support to terrorist organizations.

The Iraqi figure also said the principal efforts must be made to fight the terrorist mindset.