Sistani
Ayatullah Seestani - On differences and unity
On 3rd April, 2013, a group Zawwar led by Sh. Mustafa Jaffer met Ayatullah Sistani at his home in Najaf.
Agha met the delegation in two groups – the men first and then the ladies group. At the end of the meeting with the ladies, one of the lady members in the group asked Sh. Mustafa to request Agha to pray for unity in the community.
In response Agha Seestani replied, in connection with the subject of unity in the community, that we have to first of all understand when we as a Shia society – not only Khoja society - but any Shia society anywhere – when they show their strength and unity, people outside feel threatened and will do everything to break this unity.
By the same token, whilst they use their different means and conspiracies to break our unity and divide us, we should learn to live with our differences and unite. Our differences should make us stronger if we understand how to live with our differences.
We want everything in black and white; only one way. There is nothing like ‘one way’. The diversity has to be utilized to strengthen ourselves. Then we will be able to succeed. It is not only one way –that one leader says one thing and that is the only way.
Differences should be utilized to strengthen ourselves and not to divide us. Everything is not one way. Agha stated that ‘in your diversity learn how to live with your differences’.
Successful societies are those that have learnt to live with their differences and appear as one society.
Look at the Aga Khan. I am sure that you have your relations with them and you compare yourselves with that society. They look united under a strong leader. Yet they have many differences but look united because they have learnt to live with their differences. Similarly the Jews also have many sects and political views with differing opinions but they have the appearance of a united society. They have learnt to live with their differences. We, who have the legacy of Ahlul Bait, cannot we live united within our differences? If not, this will be a continuous block to our progress.
(Above transcript based on a report, given by Sh. Mustafa Jaffer to the Zawwar present, after Majlis at the Hotel.)
