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TEHRAN: Iran has proposed the formation of a bloc of Muslim countries to fight terrorism and boost economic cooperation that would include its regional rival Saudi Arabia.
Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani told a security conference on Sunday that the two countries, along with Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and Pakistan, should join hands to promote “regional peace based on Islam, defending the Palestinian people, fighting terrorism and [boosting] economic interests”.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are bitter rivals, and support opposite sides in the civil wars in Syria and Yemen. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in January after Iranian demonstrators stormed Saudi diplomatic facilities in protest against the execution of a prominent Saudi Shia cleric.
Larijani said Saudi Arabia and other nations should know that Iran “is not their enemy”. He said Iran was opposed to “warmongering in Syria and Yemen” and wanted to resolve regional conflicts through “national solidarity governments resorting to democratic methods”.
“Iran is not after creating an empire and hegemony in the region,” he said. “Our viewpoint is aimed at improving unity.”
Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2016
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Comments (42) Closed
Dec 12, 2016 10:39am
I love this proposal. It is in the best interest of Muslim nations and for the region.
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Dec 12, 2016 10:47am
great suggestion in line with islamic principles of brotherhood, hope pakistan, saudi , turkey, egypt etc get on board now.
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Dec 12, 2016 10:48am
Good but wishful thinking.
ALAS
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Dec 12, 2016 02:23pm
A great idea, should be implemented.
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Dec 12, 2016 06:02pm
Yet another great idea from Iran
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Dec 12, 2016 06:19pm
What happened with OIC?
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Dec 12, 2016 07:00pm
@zee Bashar is already on board
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Dec 12, 2016 07:21pm
great idea ..............please go ahead
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Dec 12, 2016 07:53pm
A wise advice.
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Dec 12, 2016 08:02pm
Excellent idea
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Dec 12, 2016 10:38pm
@Riaz Thank YOu for being a realist and have th ecourage to say it. See my comment, please.
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Dec 13, 2016 12:12am
Great proposal. It would be my dream come true if this materializes
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Dec 13, 2016 01:32am
Iran's sincere efforts signify its honest intensions to find a way for troubled Ummah.
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Dec 13, 2016 02:14am
@Mike London - It's still there to serve its basic purpose of inviting delegates for sumptuous dinners !
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Dec 13, 2016 03:06am
An excellent idea considering the very epicenters of terrorism (sponsors and sufferers) are included in this bloc. Now to take antiquated and toxic religious dogma out of the mix and pursue common-sense peace, education, employment, and prosperity.
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Dec 13, 2016 03:18am
Iran. What about defending Kashmiri people?
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Dec 13, 2016 04:36am
Never going to happen. Too many differences between each other.
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Dec 13, 2016 05:02am
hope never dies. this is a good proposal. since Iran has proposed it, they should show good will and sincerity by stop supporting their side in Syrian war. otherwise its hollow suggestion benefiting no one.
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Dec 13, 2016 06:13am
Laudable sentiment, laughable reality. One of the prime foxes proposing how to look after the hen house. Indeed, does not the OIC already exist for this purpose, among others?
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Dec 13, 2016 06:39am
It's all politics. and it will be dangerous mixing politics with religion.
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Dec 13, 2016 07:56am
Iran is a better option than saudi
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Dec 13, 2016 08:29am
This bloc should liberate kashmir using its combined military force and depose and execute Modi and his govt , neither Trump nor Putin or Xi will come to their rescue.
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Dec 13, 2016 08:34am
They are, they are trying to capture their former glory. Not going to happen. we desi know how to pull each other leg, unless you are Indian. Then you pull something else
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Dec 13, 2016 09:08am
Best i ever 2 rival could be in one page, muslims need unity like others
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Dec 13, 2016 09:10am
@Pakistani Just trying ONCE for muslims
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Dec 13, 2016 09:21am
Why can't you work within the framework of OIC? Iran wants to be the Super Power of Middle East.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:25am
I am amused.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:32am
I hope leaders of Muslim countries will listen to him.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:32am
Who are they fooling? Their role in ethnic cleansing in Syria is well known. This is just point scoring
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Dec 13, 2016 09:34am
Please use this bloc to liberate us, China-Russia-US will abandon India and we will get freedom.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:46am
This is a very good idea floated by Iran. Forget sectarian differences and start cooperation right from South Asia to the West Atlantic coast. After all it is a geographic reality. Salams
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Dec 13, 2016 09:51am
Excellent idea
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Dec 13, 2016 09:57am
it's not workable. there are too many differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia. the gulf between these two is apparently so wide that it probably can't be bridged.
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Dec 13, 2016 09:59am
very good.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:08am
Iran is sounding the most rational of the big Muslim countries after Indonesia.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:11am
Now or sometime after, this will happen one day, mark my words. Its not the question of if, its the question of when.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:19am
Very good move if comes true
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Dec 13, 2016 10:29am
This is a big initiative wish it will happen soon the solution of our future.
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Dec 13, 2016 10:45am
@Menmon he is talking about terrorism including terrorist in Kashmir
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Dec 13, 2016 10:53am
It is a very valuable proposals if these nations are sincerely interested in peace , law and order for progress they should join this.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:14pm
At last a sensible idea.Muslim. Nations should resolve its own problems.Get these outside forces out of the region.
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Dec 13, 2016 01:17pm
Every time you hear an Iranian official, they speak of bringing the Islamic countries together or forming an alliance. Gulf countries, unfortunately, always talk about divisions especially SA. GCC countries see Iran as a threat, for all the wrong reasons. Iran is against only one tiny country in the middle east, and they have reasons to believe that country is causing the issues among Muslims.
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