In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Imam Reza shrine in northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, Hoj Ahmad Marvi said: “The Foreign Ministry is a key and influential body that is expected to base the national diplomacy on “honor”, “wisdom” and “expediency”, as outlined by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution”.

The custodian of the shrine appreciated the foreign ministry’s measures, particularly regarding the Arab countries of the region, asserting that the Western arrogant outlook toward the world in seeing themselves the masters of the universe needed to turned on its head.

“Many nations indeed resent this European and American arrogant tone in owning the global community ; thank God, the approach of Iran’s Foreign Ministry that the West is only a part of the global community, not all of it, has greatly reinforced national esteem even in other countries”, explained Hoj Marvi.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the custodian pointed to the successful attempts by the Foreign Ministry to achieve regional integration, noting: “Expanding ties with the neighboring countries, especially the Persian Gulf littoral states, is really beneficial, which has resulted from the Leader’s guidelines, the president’s logical stances and the hard work by the Foreign Ministry”.

He also asked the Foreign Minister to take the necessary measures in order to facilitate pilgrimage to Imam Reza shrine for pilgrims from different parts of the world. “Sometimes, pilgrims head to Mashhad in very long flights. Therefore, increasing the number of international flights in Mashhad airport will greatly help foreign pilgrims”, said he.

Hoj Marvi concluded his remarks by suggesting the setting up of Imam Reza working group within the Foreign Ministry in order to facilitate pilgrimage for non-resident Iranians and foreign pilgrims from other countries.

For his part, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian agreed to the suggestion, pledging: “We’ll do our utmost to create such a working group within the ministry as soon as possible to help international pilgrims visit the shrine”.