TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has called upon mosques across Muslim nations to shed light on the dire situation faced by oppressed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid the Israeli aggression.

Raisi made these remarks during a meeting with Mohamed Mamoun el-Kacimi el-Hassani, the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Algiers, in the Algerian capital on Saturday.

Raisi, who went to Algiers on Saturday to attend the 7th meeting of the leaders of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), emphasized that creating awareness about the plight of Palestinian Muslims in Gaza should not only be a concern for the Muslim world but for all of humanity. He stressed the pivotal role of mosques in Islamic territories, stating that they have the capacity to foster unity and cohesion within the Islamic Ummah.

The Iranian president highlighted the common position shared by Iran and Algeria on the Palestinian issue. He questioned whether the Zionist regime would dare commit such atrocities against the Palestinians if a unified stance existed across the entire Muslim world.

Expressing Tehran's readiness to enhance cultural ties with Algeria, Raisi underlined the importance of solidarity among Muslim nations. In response, el-Hassani praised Iran's courageous and historic stance on the Palestine issue, expressing hope that other Muslim countries would follow suit. 

Israel initiated its U.S.-backed military offensive on besieged Gaza on October 7, following the Palestinian Resistance group's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm in retaliation for intensified Israeli atrocities against Palestinians. The ongoing aggression has resulted in the death of at least 30,410 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, with 71,533 others injured.

Iran has been vocal in urging Muslim countries to sever political and economic ties with Israel, calling for the isolation of the regime's vital connections. 

Iran, Algeria sign documents of bilateral cooperation

Raisi was welcomed in an official reception ceremony by the Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The formal reception, which took place on Sunday afternoon, was followed by a private meeting between the two presidents and bilateral negotiations among the high-ranking delegations of Iran and Algeria.

After these discussions, important documents outlining bilateral cooperation between the two countries will be signed by officials from both nations. The Presidents of Iran and Algeria were expected on Sunday to provide insights into the outcomes of the negotiations and bilateral talks during a press conference.

President Raisi's diplomatic engagements in Algiers also included meetings with the presidents of Tunisia, Mozambique, Iraq, and Bolivia.

Iran ready to share scientific expertise to Tunisia 

In his meeting with Tunisia’s Kais Saied, the Iranian president said Tehran is ready to supply scientific and technological know-how to Tunisia as part of its plans to share the expertise of Iranian scientists and experts in science and technology with Tunisia.

Raisi also regarded the shared position of the two countries on the issue of Palestine as a suitable basis for taking effective measures to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people. He stated that the current situation in Gaza results from the unjust global structure, and, in line with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, emphasized that Islamic countries should sever their economic ties with the Zionist regime to halt their crimes.

In this meeting, Tunisian President Kais Saied expressed Tunisia's eagerness for the development and enhancement of relations with Iran. 

Joint Iran, Mozambique commission to be implanted to enhance relations

In another meeting with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, Raisi said that Iran is keen to activate an intergovernmental economic committee with the East African country to help expand bilateral relations.

He underscored Iran's keen interest in broadening ties with African nations, including Mozambique. 

Emphasizing the necessity of a fresh beginning, Raisi suggested activating a joint commission between Iran and Mozambique, with the goal of enhancing relations and leveraging the substantial capacities of both nations.

Raisi expressed Iran's readiness to offer technical and engineering services to Mozambique. He brought attention to the threats posed by the Zionist regime and some Western countries, supporting terrorists to pressure African nations and exploit their resources. Stressing the importance for African countries to protect their interests by combatting terrorism, Iran expressed its willingness to collaborate in this regard.

In response, President Filipe Nyusi viewed the development of relations with Iran as a catalyst for significant transformations. He welcomed Iran’s proposal to activate the joint commission, urging swift implementation of existing agreements between the two nations.

Iran, Iraq united against shared adversaries

Raisi also had a meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, and pointed out the importance of the security issue for Iran and Iraq and considered that dealing with terrorist and separatist groups at the border points requires the interaction of both countries.

Raisi stated that Iran considers the security of Iraq as its own security not in words but in practice, stressing, “We should make more attempts for the development of relations between the two countries, so that the enemies, and the Zionist regime at the head of them, become disappointed.”

In this meeting, Iraqi President also stated that the relations between Iran and Iraq are beyond the geographical borders and are rooted in the deep religious and cultural beliefs of the two nations, and said, “We will never forget the help of the Islamic Republic and the people of Iran in the distressing times and we assure that we will never allow the slightest encroachment from the territory of Iraq to the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Emphasizing the common view of the two countries on the Palestinian issue, Abdul Latif Rashid said, “We are proud of the brave positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran government on the issue of Palestine and Gaza, and we believe that as long as a criminal and aggressive regime like the Zionist regime is present in the region, this region will not have security and stability.”

Raisi appreciates Bolivia’s stance on Palestine issue

Continuing his diplomatic visits, Raisi met with Luis Arce, the President of Bolivia. The Iranian chief executive appreciated the revolutionary and anti-imperialist positions of the Bolivian government and the nation of this country. He also praised the approach of Bolivia in supporting Palestine and the oppressed people of Gaza.

The Iranian president called Bolivia's position in Latin America special and inspiring for the nations of this region and said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran sees no obstacle to promoting cooperation with the Bolivian government and the economic and commercial relations between the two countries should grow and develop to the highest extent.”

Raisi also emphasized the necessity of more serious follow-up of the agreements made in the past between the two nations.

In this meeting, Luis Arce also described the positions of the two countries in international issues as very close, stating, “our view of the Islamic Republic of Iran is more than a country but as a friend and brother.”

The president of Bolivia stated, “After the genocide in Gaza, we severed our relations with Israel, and our internal and external enemies started negative propaganda and psychological warfare against our nation and government.”

Strengthening of cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, technical and engineering services and agriculture was emphasized by the parties in this meeting.

Culled from Tehran Times