Sunni, Shia seminaries: Iran's top religious leader Arafi for closer liaison

Member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and President of Iranian seminaries Ayatolllah Alireza Arafi, who is also Chairman of Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, visited religious education institution Jamia Ashrafia here on Sunday and stressed the need for closer cooperation and liaison between the Sunni and Shia scholars and seminaries.
On arrival he was received by Maulana Fazal Raheem Ashrafi Principal and other teachers of the Ashrafia Islamic University. Ayatollah was accompanied by members of his delegation and chief administer Jamia Al Muntazir Lahore and vice president of Wafaqul Madaris Shia Mufti Niaz Hussain Naqvi.
Ayatollah Arafi presented a list of 1700 Sunni mosques built in Iran after the Iranian revolution. He said that there were hundreds of seminaries of Sunni schools of thought in Iran. He said over 50,000 students have graduated from the Al-Mustafa International University, Qom and as many students from 130 countries are studying in the university.
He said both the governments of Pakistan and Iran should work together for the liberation of Kashmir and Palestine. He invited the teachers and students of Jamia Ashrafia to visit Iran. He praised the scholarly and research work and standard of education of Jamia Ashrafia.
It may be added that Ayatollah Arafi holds the offices of President of the International Center for Islamic Sciences and a member of the board of trustees, President of University Research Institute, Educational Department Imam Khomeini Institute, Research Council of Qom Seminary, Member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and seminary president of Iran.