Solution to problems lie in returning to genuine Islam: Rouhani

Hyderabad: President Hassan Rouhani of Iran Thursday said problems plaguing Muslim countries cannot be solved through the barrel of gun and military means but through logic, reasoning and dialogue.

Speaking at a meeting with Muslim intellectuals and clergy here Thursday night, Rouhani, who arrived here on a three-day India visit, said Islam is not a religion of violence, but one of moderation.

He blamed West for sowing discord in the Muslim lands. "The Western world has made Muslim countries preoccupied with themselves through creating discord among them," he said.

He said that the Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians lived together in Iraq and the same was true of Syria till the West intervened there.

Rouhani said while during industrialization, the West plundered the mineral resources of the East and in the current age of technology, it is trying to plunder their culture and beliefs.

"The Western world oppressed and exploited the Eastern world and its resources" and caused tensions and differences to arise between oriental countries, he said.

"When we Muslims (in the past centuries) possessed universities and technologies, and others did not possess (them), we...transferred our teachings and science to them.

"However, when they (West) reached the (same level of progress), they did not (give) the same treatment. They did not provide us with technology fairly and justly," he said.

"On the contrary they (West) created certain groups, we call Takfiris, to portray Islam as a violent religion. 

"The fact is that Islam is a religion of moderation, tolerance and forgiveness", he said extensively quoting from Quran and the sayings of Prophet Mohammad.

He said the solution to the problems faced by the humanity lie in returning to genuine Islam and underlined the need for educating all, especially youth, of the teaching of Quran and Prophet Mohammad, whom the Quran described as the mercy for humanity.

The Iranian President called for explaining how the Islam does not merely focus on issues of individual or family but it has the power to manage a society, politics, international relations, judicial issues, and social affairs. Islam rules and regulations for running affairs of the society, he added.

Quoting Quran, he said the Muslim community shoulder huge responsibility as they are present on this planet to spread good deeds and eradicate evils. Quoting a saying of Prophet Mohammad, he said oppressed irrespective of his faith should be helped.

"We want to spread peace and also engage in dialogue while defending our rights. In case of need, we do believe in resistance and steadfastness," he added.

Calling for unity among Muslims, Rouhani said his country wants to clear the "hurdles" faced by the people of war-torn countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Yemen are facing.

"We want to clear the hurdles for the people of Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen. The solution is unity and brotherhood in joint effort," he said.

Iran believes that there is no military solution to problems which are diplomatic in nature, Rouhani said.

"However, when a war is imposed, people have no other option but to defend themselves, and those who defend are the true companions and true followers of the almighty God," he said.

"Iran wants unity, independence and support for the East. Iran wants fraternity with India. We do not want to have any differences with other countries as well," said Rouhani who is on his first India visit since assuming charge as president in 2013.

Rouhani lauded India's culture and traditions, and said the country was a "living museum" of religions and ethnic groups.

"India is a living museum of different ethnicities and religions peacefully co-existing. This process is going on for centuries. Shia, Sunnis, Sufis, Hindus, Sikhs and others are living together. They together built their country and built their civilization," Rouhani said.

"We see a lot of temples, other places of worship, and they are living in peace. They are having peaceful co-existence," he said.

Muslims, non-Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs are coexisting in peace in India, he said.

Despite tight security, Rouhani allowed some of those present to click selfies with him after the speech.

The Iranian President is scheduled to visit the famous Mecca Masjid here and offer Friday prayers there. Later, he would be leaving for New Delhi.

Earlier, he arrived in Hyderabad on a special flight from Tehran and was received by Union Minister of State for Power R K Singh and Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan along with senior officials of Telanaga government.