A group of prominent scholars and muftis from across the Muslim world issued strongly worded statements condemning what they described as Iran's ongoing aggression and blatant interference in the internal affairs of Arab and Muslim countries. These scholars warned that Tehran's policies are leading it toward increasing political and diplomatic isolation at both the regional and international levels, emphasizing that such actions contradict Islamic values and principles that call for good neighborliness and respect for national sovereignty.
General context and historical background
These tensions have roots dating back decades, specifically to 1979, when the Iranian leadership adopted the principle of exporting the revolution, which many Muslim countries considered a direct threat to their national security and stability. Over the years, this principle has manifested itself in the support and establishment of armed militias and non-state actors in several Arab countries, such as Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. These interventions have weakened national institutions and fueled sectarian conflicts that have torn apart the social fabric of these countries. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Muslim World League have previously issued numerous resolutions condemning these interventions and demanding that Tehran cease its destabilizing policies.
The position of the scholars of the Islamic nation
In their statements, religious scholars and jurists affirmed that the tolerant Islamic Sharia prohibits inciting discord and conflict among Muslims and mandates respect for international covenants and agreements. They pointed out that exploiting religious sentiment to advance political and expansionist agendas distorts the pure message of Islam. They emphasized that supporting sectarian militias with weapons and funds serves only the enemies of the Muslim nation and contributes to prolonging wars and the shedding of innocent blood, thus necessitating a unified Islamic stance to confront these practices.
Expected impacts and strategic importance
This unified stance from scholars of the Islamic world carries significant implications and far-reaching effects:
- At the local and regional levels, this stance strengthens the internal cohesion of countries affected by Iranian interference and provides a legitimate and religious justification for political and military efforts to combat militias backed by Tehran. It also deepens Iran's isolation within the Islamic world, where calls are growing to sever or reduce diplomatic relations until it changes its behavior.
- On the international level, these religious condemnations coincide with increasing international pressure and harsh economic sanctions imposed on Tehran due to its nuclear program and ballistic missile development. The alignment of the Islamic perspective with the international stance undermines Iran's attempts to portray itself as a defender of the Muslim world's causes and reveals the widespread rejection of its expansionist policies.
A call for review and course correction
In closing, the scholars appealed to the Iranian leadership to embrace reason and return to the fold of Islam by adhering to the principles of good neighborliness and immediately ceasing interference in the affairs of other nations. They warned that continuing this hostile approach will only bring further destruction and devastation to the region and exacerbate the suffering of the Iranian people themselves, who are already burdened by sanctions and international isolation. Achieving security and peace in the Middle East requires genuine political will that abandons expansionist ambitions and works toward shared development and stability.
