The meeting is organized at the Islamic Center of England two times a year, once before Ramadan and the other before Muharram.
Saturday’s gathering discussed different issues, with a focus on the background and current status of Takfiri groups.
Speakers also underlined the importance of Muharram as an opportunity for clerics and preachers to promote the Islamic culture and teachings.
Muharram, the first month in the Hijri calendar, is when Shia Muslims hold mourning ceremonies marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala (680 A.D.).
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammad Ali Shomali, head of the Islamic Center of England, in his speech called on preachers to spread the message of Imam Hussein (AS) uprising to non-Shias, including Sunni Muslims, Christians and others.
Elsewhere, he referred to the issue of Takfir (considering one’s fellow Muslim as infidel) as an issue with a long history.
He said Shia Muslims are suffering from the effects of Takfiri ideology more than others because they are the target of Takfiri measures and are also sad to see that Takfiri groups tarnish the image of Islam, the religion of kindness and mercy.