Iranian FM Salehi meets with grand ayatollahs in Qom

QOM, Nov. 19 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi held separate meetings with grand ayatollahs Nasser Makarem Shirazi, Hossein Nouri Hamedani, Abdollah Javadi Amoli, and Hossein Vahid Khorasani in the holy city of Qom on Thursday. During his meeting with Salehi, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli said, “We should behave in such a way that the enemies… realize that they cannot engage in a confrontation with us, and this necessitates unity and national solidarity.” Elsewhere in his remarks, he criticized the stance that the Turkish government has adopted toward the developments occurring in the region. He also censured certain Turkish officials for making remarks in favor of secular democracy. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a visit to Cairo on September 13, told Egyptians, “Do not be wary of secularism.” “A secular state does not mean that the people are atheists. It means respect for all religions and each individual has the freedom to practice his own religion.” During the meeting, the grand ayatollah also advised Salehi to engage in scientific activities while being active in politics. Salehi also briefed Ayatollah Javadi Amoli and other grand ayatollahs on the latest regional and international developments and explained Iran’s stance toward these developments.