The Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi in a meeting with the Deputy of ICRC (the Medical Care Branch) stated: We believe that the humans or nothing but one community and they are connected to each other and all the boundaries drawn within this community are artificial.
His eminence highlighting the fact that, differences in language, culture or country should not be regarded as factors for differentiation between human beings, indicated: "The Holy Prophet is quoted (saww) as saying "The children of Adam are like the limbs of one body; when one limb is put in pain then the other limbs cannot remain in rest and peace." This is one of the main teachings of our religion and you also may find this in the works of our poets like Sa'di.
His eminence added: " As for the humanistic affairs there is a strong emphasis, in the Holy Quran and our traditions, on the notion of "the children of Adam"[the whole human being] and not on the concept of "Muslims"; this clearly shows how inclusive Islam is in this regard."
His eminence continued "There is another hadith which indicates that «If a Muslim hears the sigh of an oppressed and does not move towards him/her or does not answer his/her call, this person is not regarded as Muslim. »
Therefore we both are in the same road and there is no deference between the purpose we as Muslims are seeking and your goal as ICRC.
"We regard you as the ones who put their lives at stake to save others' lives and this sacrifice is admirable. One of the problems of ICRC which makes people be less aware of its accomplishments is that you do not advertise your activities so much. If there will be more advertising pertaining ICRC's activities there will be, for sure, more sympathy toward this organization from amongst the Muslims. We are ready, anyway, for as much cooperation as possible and any suggestion will be welcomed and any written suggestion would be advertised for in our country since there is a warm connection between our office and our kind people" His eminence remarked.
His eminence addressing the Deputy of ICRC continued: "Your main asset is the trust of people so this trust should be kept by both the ICRC and people; hence you must not let the ICRC become the victim of political exploitation. There may be some individuals out there who make use of any possible means to reach their own goals and this is your duty to make sure that this never happens as to the ICRC. The ICRC is not a political organization therefore it must be respected and aided wherever it may be.
We wish you abundant success in your efforts and hope that you will be able to expand your activities day by day and get closer to your ultimate goal.
His eminence warns on exploitation of International Committee of the Red Cross
As for the humanistic affairs there is a strong emphasis, in the Holy Quran and our traditions, on the notion of "the children of Adam"[the whole human being] and not on the concept of "Muslims"; this clearly shows how inclusive Islam is in this regard.