Religion binds all ethnic groups in Khuzestan: cleric

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution had predicted the enemies’ conspiracies when he named this year the Year of National Solidarity, thus calling on the nation to remain unified, Heydari told the Mehr News Agency in a recent interview.

The cleric referred to Khuzestan as a significant and historical province in Iran.

“Khuzestan was the first place where Iran contacted Islam and Shiism; in fact Khuzestan can be known as the gateway to Islam and Shiism for Iran,” he noted.

“Overseeing the Persian Gulf, Khuzestan Province enjoys rich energy resources as well as sharing borders with the most crisis-stricken country in the region, Iraq.

“Khuzestan plays an important role in the country and received the brunt of attacks during the eight-year Iraqi imposed war on Iran.”

Referring to the province’s ethnic diversity, Heydari added that various tribal groups in Khuzestan enjoy friendly ties since they all have faith in the same religious belief, which is Shiism.

“Religious bonds are the main reason for unity among various ethnic groups in Khuzestan,” he commented.

Ethnic unrest broke in Ahvaz, the capital city of Kuzestan Province, after a forged letter was distributed in the province last month calling on the president to relocate ethnic Arabs. The forged letter had been attributed to former president adviser Mohammad Ali Abtahi.

HL/MS

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MNA