The Islamic Unity: Ayatullah Khamenei's Perspective

The Islamic unity: Ayatullah Khamenei’s perspective refers to the emphasis placed by Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on unity within the global Muslim community (Islamic Ummah) as a religious, social, and political imperative. In his speeches, public addresses, and written statements, Khamenei frames unity among Muslims as both a principled religious duty rooted in the Qur’an and a strategic necessity for confronting external pressures and internal divisions. His views have been expressed at various Islamic conferences, during observances such as Islamic Unity Week, and in interactions with scholars and political leaders (Iran News Daily, 2021; Tasnim News Agency, 2025).

Background

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (born 19 April 1939) is an Iranian cleric and political leader who has served as the second Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini. As Iran’s highest authority, he influences religious discourse, domestic policy, and foreign affairs. Khamenei has a long record of public addresses that touch upon the importance of unity among Muslims, defined by shared values, social solidarity, and religious identity rather than mere geopolitical alignment (Wikipedia, n.d.).

His views on unity build on a broader tradition within the Iranian Islamic Revolution that emphasizes collective Muslim identity and resistance to perceived external domination and interference. This tradition includes the establishment and celebration of annual observances such as Islamic Unity Week, intended to foster rapprochement across sectarian lines and mobilize Muslims around shared concerns.

Religious Foundations of Unity

From Khamenei’s perspective, Islamic unity is underpinned by foundational religious teachings. He has repeatedly asserted that unity among Muslims is not merely a tactical consideration but a Qur’anic principle that God commands believers to uphold. According to various reports of his speeches, Khamenei states that the Qur’an enjoins Muslims to “hold fast the rope of Allah all together and be not divided,” a verse commonly interpreted in Islamic scholarship as an injunction against disunity and discord.

In several addresses, Khamenei emphasizes that the ummah (global Muslim community) must transcend internal divisions—such as those based on school of thought (e.g., Sunni and Shiʿa distinctions)—and cooperate on matters of collective importance. He has framed unity as essential for safeguarding religious identity, advancing justice, and enabling Muslims to support one another in times of hardship and conflict.

Unity as Strategic Necessity

Khamenei’s perspective often links Islamic unity to geopolitical strategy. In addresses at international Islamic conferences, he has argued that unity enables the Muslim Ummah to protect its interests and resist external pressures perceived to threaten its stability. For example, in his remarks at the International Islamic Unity Conference, he defined unity not as uniformity but as collective action to safeguard the shared interests of Muslim nations and to counter the influence of “arrogant powers,” a term often used in Iranian official rhetoric to refer to Western nations such as the United States and Israel.

In this framing, unity does not imply political amalgamation or ideological conformity; rather, it refers to the cooperation of Muslim communities and states in identifying shared interests, building consensus on key priorities, and engaging collectively in diplomatic, economic, and cultural arenas to advance common goals. Khamenei has stressed that such unity would improve the ability of Muslim nations to influence global affairs and to respond to crises affecting the ummah.

Unity in Practice: Hajj and Shared Rituals

Khamenei has explicitly referenced the annual Hajj pilgrimage as an embodiment of Islamic unity. In speeches to officials and organizers related to the pilgrimage, he characterized the Hajj gathering as a powerful symbol of Muslim solidarity that transcends race, color, and geographic differences. According to reported remarks, he underlined that if the Muslim Ummah were united in purpose and action, many regional conflicts—such as those in Palestine and Yemen—might not occur or could be more effectively addressed.

Responses to Division and Discord

Khamenei’s perspective frequently acknowledges the existence of internal obstacles to unity. He has criticized attempts by external powers, and at times internal actors, to exploit sectarian or ethnic divisions within the Muslim world. In his speeches, he maintained that such divisions have been amplified by historical and contemporary geopolitical rivalries, and warned against allowing them to overshadow the common religious identity and shared priorities of Muslims (Tasnim News Agency, 2024; Islam Times, 2024).

In this context, unity is understood not as uniform belief or elimination of all doctrinal differences, but as shared commitment to cooperation, mutual respect, and prioritization of collective well‑being. This framing aligns with similar rhetoric used by other leaders who advocate for an inclusive conception of Muslim identity that accommodates diversity while focusing on shared objectives.

Institutional Support for Unity

Khamenei’s emphasis on unity is reflected in institutional efforts promoted under his leadership. For example, the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought was established in the early 1990s to foster dialogue and rapprochement between various Islamic schools of thought, including Sunni and Shiʿa jurisprudential traditions. This forum has convened scholars, theologians, and community leaders to discuss common doctrinal issues and build bridges across interpretive divides (Wikipedia, n.d.).

Such institutional mechanisms have been described by scholars as part of broader efforts to reduce sectarian tensions and provide structured opportunities for unity‑focused engagement among Muslim religious communities.

Reception and Criticism

The perspective promoted by Khamenei on Islamic unity has been received in varied ways. Supporters argue that his emphasis on unity reflects a principled application of Islamic teachings that can help address longstanding challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah. They contend that unity enables collective action on issues such as justice, development, and resistance to external domination. Critics, however, observe that calls for unity are sometimes articulated within broader political frameworks that reflect Iran’s geopolitical interests. Academic observers note that interpretation and reception of unity rhetoric often depend on regional political alignments and historical experiences of inter‑Muslim relations.

See also

• Ali Khamenei
• Islamic unity
• World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought
• Hajj