Rafsanjani slams states supporting terrorists

Chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council says the support extended by certain states for the ISIL Takfiri terrorists operating in Iraq and Syria is politically imprudent.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Monday that such a policy widens the rift between Muslims and strengthens the terrorist groups in various parts of the Islamic world.

“The result of discord (among Muslims) strengthens groups like ISIL, Boko Haram, Al-Nusra Front, Wahhabis and Salafis,” Rafsanjani said in a meeting in Tehran with Ammar Hakim, the chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq.

Rafsanjani called on prominent Shia and Sunni clerics to defend the unity and integrity of the Muslim community and prevent the enemies from sowing the seeds of discord among Muslims. Hakim also elaborated on the increasing unity between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Iraq, which, as he said, has ‘infuriated’ the enemies.

“Despite internal disagreements, Iraq believes in the principle of democracy and is committed to its necessities,” he said.

Hakim also said that cooperation between Iraq’s Kurds and Shias is necessary to safeguard security in the country