LAHORE, Feb 8: Iranian Cultural Centre director-general Aqae Muhammad Saeed Moezudden said here on Friday that his country never supported terrorist acts because it itself faced terrorism.

He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Islamic revolution, a messenger of peace and friendship,’ organized by the Iranian Culture Centre to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Iranian revolution here at a local hotel.

The seminar was also addressed by Punjab Law Minister Dr Khalid Ranjha, Jamaat-i-Islami naib amir Aslam Saleemi, Hujatul Islam Aqae Syed Ali Musavi, Begum Bushra Rehman, Dr Mugheesuddin Sheikh and others. Iranian Consul General Aqae Majid Sadiqui Daultabadi was also present.

Mr Moezudden said the hallmark of the Islamic revolution was the struggle against injustice. Its leaders continued to plead for world peace, protection of each others rights and unity of the Muslim world.

But, he said world powers under America continued to sow the seeds of dissension among Muslims were also subjected to injustice, humiliation and sectarianism. The ample proof of this was the perpetration of atrocities against Palestinians.

The director-general said Iran was never in favour of a war. But fought against external aggression for eight years in self-defence. After Imam Khomeini, the present leadership of Iran had been striving for unity among Muslims and friendship between all nations in the world.

He said his government wanted development of strong friendly relations between Pakistan and Iran and welfare of the entire Muslim ummat.

Dr Ranjha said jihad was important for all Muslims but it was important as how to preserve its original spirit. Wherever there was a digression jihad was termed as terrorism.

He said jihad was the unifying force for all Muslims in the world. The peoples and governments used to share different views on jihad. For example, he said the policy of the Pakistan government differed with the voice of the people on the Afghan issue.

The minister said revolution always preceded injustice which was a product of an unjust system. And the unjust judicial system always led to terrorism which in Pakistan became sectarian and religious violence.

He said there should be interaction of languages for the transfer of culture. At present the Muslim world possessed an atomic bomb but it was still fearful because of its weak economic condition.

The minister said the ummat could grow stronger by progressing in the economic field. Pakistan, Iran and the Arab world must also develop close trade relations, he said.

Aslam Saleemi said the present Iranian leadership was following in the footsteps of Imam Khomeini. Unlike the rest of the Islamic world it replied to the American threats with a courage.

He said unity among the Muslim world was the need of the hour. He urged the need for strengthening the ECO and the OIC and said Iran could play a vital role in this connection.

Dr Mugheesuddin said there was no need of getting afraid of the might of the non-Muslims. It required unity to counter all forces inimical to Islam.