Sheikh Saleh Al-Talib, an imam at Makkah\u2019s Grand Mosque, said that Muslim solidarity is essential for survival.
\n\u201cWe live in a world that only respects the strong and the united,\u201d he said during the Friday sermon. \u201cMuslims don\u2019t want another religion to rule them, so they must unite. We are in need of brotherhood, true conduct that achieves our goals and justice to prevail in our societies. We need equality to live in a state of peace and worship.\u201d
\nUndoing disunity is the responsibility of the nation\u2019s leaders and intellectuals, he said.
\n\u201cNations achieve their own unity, so why is it that our nation is fragmented even though we have the resources and factors for success,\u201d he said. \u201cUnity will not be achieved unless we have a fixed reference that unites us and creates a renaissance. This reference is represented in the Qur\u2019an and the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him). We should follow in the footsteps of his companions.
\n\u201cScholars should gather the Muslim nation under one reference and highlight right from wrong. Having multiple religious sects and using religious pretexts to achieve political ambitions contributes to the nation\u2019s disunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n