Iran-Religions-Meeting
Iranians are, based on their religious and cultural teachings, highly prepared for further coexistence and interaction with other nations, a senior cultural official said on Sunday.

Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) Mehdi Mostafavi made the remarks in a meeting with a group of visiting members of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).

The 20-member group is currently in Iran to hold separate talks with the country's religious and cultural figures and become more familiar with the Iranian and Islamic culture.

Established in 1984, the USIP is an independent body for strengthening the peacemaking capacity of religious leaders.

Referring to the significance of interaction and holding dialogue among leaders of different religions, Mostafavi said Iran followed two major rules in its relations with other parties.

"In our dialogues with other nations we consider two major principles which are: strengthening of rationalism and promotion of belief and religion," Mostafavi said.

Iran has so far, conducted interaction with other religions, Mostafavi said referring to Tehran's talks with leaders of other religions including Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism.

He added Iran's different religious minorities were living in peace and coexistence with their Iranian fellow countrymen.

"The Iranian religious minorities have friendly relations with each other and live in full harmony with other Iranian citizens.

Sectarian conflicts among Iranian religious minorities are much less than those in other parts of the world," said the official.

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