HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Al-Marjay Al-A’alaa Grand Ayatullah Sayyed Ali Al-Husseini As-Sistani has called for Muslim unity.

In his first public statement in many weeks, Ayatullah As-Sistani cited what he called a "desperate need for unity and for renouncing divisions" and for "avoiding sectarian fanaticism."

"Regrettably, it has been noticed that some individuals and some groups are working totally contrary to (reconciliation) by strengthening the divisions and deepening the sectarian disputes among Muslims," he said. "They have increased their efforts in recent days after the escalation of the political conflicts aimed at gaining more authorities in the region."