Tehran’s Shias Defend us

A prominent Sunni scholar in Tehran talks to ‘SunniOnline’:
Note: Molawi Ubedullah Mousazadeh, one of the active and outstanding scholars in Tehran, is the Imam and Khateeb of the destroyed Sunni prayer-hall in Tehran. He is a graduate of Darululoom Zahedan, Iran. In an exclusive interview of “SunniOnline”, the official website of the Sunni community in Iran, with Shaikh Mousazadeh, ‘obstacles on the path of Muslims’ unity’, ‘Sunnis’ conditions in Tehran’ and the case of the demolished prayer-hall have been discussed. The main points of his interview as following:
 Reformation and unifying Muslim Ummah is one of the important duties of Ulama, Muslim scholars. Unless Muslims suffer from divisions, they are deprived from being ‘Ummah’ and a nation.
 There are many reasons behind sectarian differences, such as ‘avoidance from the directions of the Noble Qur’an and Sunnah’, ‘focusing on differences and giving less importance to the common points’, ‘restricting unity-seeker Ulama who have influences in the society’ and ‘giving free hand to fanatic elements who destroy peace and unity of Muslims’.
 Media sources and Ulama can play a vital role in unifying Muslims and calling on people to avoid division.
 Internal differences and disputes of Muslims are in accordance with the interests of the West. They don’t want Muslims to unity and have fraternity. Now Muslims are busy with each other’s differences not the bigger difference they have with the Christians and Jews.
 Holding conferences for unity is a good step, but it is not enough. There must be more serious steps to make outstanding Ulama and Shia Maraje’ to sit together; they can decrease differences.
 The most important factor of unity is respecting each other, co-working of Sunni and Shia intellectuals and observing the legal rights and liberties.
 There is a pragmatic unity between the Shia and Sunni communities of Tehran. They enjoy good relations; even when some elements try to introduce us as ‘extremists’, our Shia neighbors defend us. Newcomers think they are Sunni citizens who defend us, but by investigation they discover our Shia neighbors were defending us. There are many non-Muslims in Tehran, too. There is no any tension among them.
 “Nabiy-e-Rahmat prayer-hall” of Pounak town (Tehran) is still locked after demolition. Some authorities promise to resolve the case and we have been following the problem. We have written letters to the top officials and offices clarifying our stances and views that we are not against our country and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
 Iran is our country; we respect the regulations and strive to boost fraternity and unity. We condemn going to extremes and urge on temperance in all aspects. We are Iran’s Sunnis without affiliation with any other wing, party and country.