Jassim al-Najafi, who has showcased some of his Quranic calligraphy works at the 22nd Tehran International Holy Quran Exhibition, also told IQNA that crimes committed against Islam by extremist groups are nothing new as the religion has always been attacked by group that have deviated from the right path.
He said the enemies of Islam use these groups to create rifts among Muslims and undermine Islamic unity so that the spread of Islam in the world would stop.
The ISIL militants have been behind an escalation of crisis in Iraq after they took control of Mosul in a lightning attack on June 10, which was followed by the fall of Tikrit, located 140 kilometers (87 miles) northwest of the Iraqi capital Baghdad and Fallujah. Tikrit was later taken back by the Iraqi army forces.
An estimated 1.2 million people have been displaced in Iraq so far this year, according to the United Nations.
The ISIL has vowed to continue its raid towards Baghdad.
Al-Najafi referred to the history of Islam and said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) also faced such extremist groups like Khawarij who did not want the light of Islam to illuminate the world.
He further referred to verse 13 of Surah al-Hujurat "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted," and underlined that true Muslims, unlike these radical groups, are peace-loving people who have lived along with followers of other sects and faiths peacefully.
Elsewhere, asked about the atmosphere of his hometown of Najaf during the holy month of Ramadan, al-Najafi said the holy shrine of Imam Ali (AS) and the numerous mosques in the city create a very spiritual atmosphere in Najaf during the month of fasting.
http://www.iqna.ir/fa/News/1430175