Iranian president prays for Shia-Sunni unity at Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday visited the historic Makkah Masjid here and offered prayers for Shia-Sunni unity and peace across the Muslim world.

On the second day of his three-day visit to India, Rouhani joined commoners in offering prayers at the 17th century mosque whose foundation was laid in late 1616 by Qutub Shahi ruler Sultan Mohammad and was completed during Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's reign in 1694.

Accompanied by ministers and senior officials, Rouhani offered 'namaz' in the first row. Before that he sat through the sermons delivered in Arabic by Moulana Rizwan Qureshi, Imam of the mosque in the Muslimmajority old city.

Qureshi, during his sermon, prayed for the safety of Muslims across the world, especially in Palestine, Syria and Yemen.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and legislators of his party were also present.

Rouhani's visit to the Sunni mosque is significant. Analysts say it is aimed at conveying the message of ShiaSunni unity.

Rouhani on Friday also announced that Tehran is ready to simplify visa procedures and hoped India will reciprocate to facilitate easy movement of people between the two countries.

Stating that India and Iran share many commonalities, he called for further strengthening bilateral ties.

Addressing a gathering after Friday prayers at the Makkah Masjid here on the second day of his three-day visit to India, he said Iran with its rich resources of oil and gas was ready to help India to meet its requirements.

He announced that Iran was ready to allow India access to Chabahar Port to facilitate transit to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe.

Rouhani said Iran and India can cooperate in areas like industry, agriculture and advanced technology and take steps to contribute to the interests of both the countries and the region.

The Iranian leader said both countries should work together to further strengthen peace in the interests of the region.

Rouhani underlined the need for unity among Muslims and alleged that enemies of Islam were creating rifts amongst them.

The President said Iran was working to end bloodshed in Iraq and Syria.

He said had Muslims remained united, the US President would not have dared to declare Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. "If we are united, the Zionist state can't dare to commit atrocities on the innocent people of Palestine."