Head of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly confers with Georgian religious official

In a meeting in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, Iran's Ambassador to Georgia Javad Qavam Shahidi as well as Head of Georgian Muslim Agency and residing Muslim personalities in Georgia were present.

Vashakmadze presented a report on the presence of different religions in Georgia and their freedom of activities.

He pointed to the unity among Muslims in Georgia, either Sunni or Shia, and said that Georgian government pays special attention to religious affairs and helps different religious centers.

'The Georgian people oppose every kind of extremism,' he added.

Vashakmadze appreciated efforts of the ambassador to promote the level of bilateral relations, and praised noticeable growth of tourism between the two countries and the visit by Georgian prime minister to Iran.

Ayatollah Shabestari also appreciated good interaction of Georgian government with Muslims, and said that when a government appreciates religion and spirituality, it will also have materialistic benefits like expansion of tourism and economic relations with other states as well as spiritual benefits like establishment of peace and justice in the society.

He added that Prophet of Islam had invited human beings to peace while prohibiting them from killing and terror.

The ayatollah said Iran is looking for peaceful nuclear energy and not war and as the supreme leader had declared in his fatwa building nuclear weapons is prohibited.

He expressed hope that relations between Iran and Georgia would be expanded in different areas.

The ayatollah invited Vashakmadze to pay a visit to Iran.

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