Iran Must Stop Turning Muslim Countries into Battlegrounds for Proxy Wars: Maulana Hasan Ali Rajani

Delhi, 9 Oct: Prominent Shia religious scholar and leader Maulana Hassan Ali Rajani has strongly criticized Iran's regional policy and the activities of its affiliated armed groups, saying that making Muslim countries a battlefield for proxy wars should not be acceptable under any circumstances. He referred to the Houthi armed group in Yemen and the pro-Iranian armed activities in Lebanon and said that the use of armed groups to gain power in the region is creating more problems for ordinary Muslims. Rajani said that if Iran really speaks for the interests of the Muslim world, it should first respect the sovereignty of Muslim countries and the lives and property of its citizens. He said that missiles, drones and armed operations are not a permanent solution to the problems of the region, but rather a means of further increasing tensions. Maulana Rajani demanded that Iran adopt the path of direct diplomacy and negotiations instead of proxy politics. He clarified that the ordinary people of Iran or Muslims of any sect should not be politically exposed. It is not right to blame conflicts; the objection is to specific policies and armed actions. Rajani called on Muslim countries and the international community to take effective diplomatic steps to defend the principles of protection of citizens, national sovereignty and freedom of navigation. He said that the Muslim world does not need more wars but peace, sovereignty, mutual respect and responsible diplomacy. Maulana Rajani said that is it not clear as day that Iran's proxy politics has pushed the Muslim world into further tension, therefore Iran's armed intervention in Muslim countries around the world should now stop?