Christians must encourage their governments to practice peace: Iran

Tehran Times Political Desk
TEHRAN – Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has called on all Christians to encourage and compel the governments of Christian countries to practice peace and friendship.

Larijani made the remarks in a message to Christians, issued on Christmas Eve, in which he congratulated them on the birth of Jesus.

“I… congratulate all Christians in the world and my Christian countrymen, particularly the Assyrians,” the message read.

“Muslim nations expect the Christians of the world to encourage and compel the governments of Christian countries to pay more attention to the spirit of the teachings of the Messiah, which is peace, friendship, and fighting against oppression,” he added.

The message also said, “Today’s world is in need of spirituality, morality, and justice more than ever and divine religions are the best supporters of morality, spirituality, and justice. Those who foment religious strife and fan the flames of controversy between Islam and Christianity by bringing up various (issues), including the Crusades, are in fact using religion as a tool and are pursuing their adventuristic (objectives) in the world.”

“I consider the peaceful coexistence of religious minorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran with each other and with Muslims as a source of pride and note that, fortunately, religious minorities have representatives in the (Iranian) parliament,” he added

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