DOHA (Qatar), Jan 22: Islamic scholars called on all Muslims on Monday to unite to stop the sectarian bloodshed tearing Iraq apart. About 200 religious figures from more than 40 countries ended a three-day conference here on Monday and urged the creation of a global forum to foster dialogue between Sunnis and Shias.“Participants agree that the killing of Muslims in Iraq at the hands of other Muslims should be immediately stopped. Scholars and political leaders of both the Sunni and Shias sects should exert every possible effort to stop the sectarian strife,” said Aisha al-Mannai, dean of the Faculty of Islamic Law at Qatar University.

Addressing the conference during its final session, prominent Sunni cleric Sheik Youssef al-Qaradawi also urged Iran to help quell Shia attacks on Sunnis in Iraq. The Egyptian-born cleric said Sunnis were bearing the brunt of Iraq's civil warfare.

“Iran has the key to stop the violence and should intervene,” said al-Qaradawi, who also said he partially blamed the Iran, which is majority Shia, for the sectarian violence during a speech at the conference on Saturday.—AP