Presidential Hopeful Raisi Hails Iranian Ethnic, Religious Groups as ‘Assets’


Presidential Hopeful Raisi Hails Iranian Ethnic, Religious Groups as ‘Assets’

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian presidential candidate Seyed Ebrahim Raisi praised all Iranian ethnic and religious groups as “assets” of the Islamic Republic, vowing that he would seek their contribution to his administration if he wins the presidency.

“Iranian ethnic and religious groups are an inseparable part of the country’s history and land,” Raisi said in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency.

He emphasized that an “instrumental approach” should not be adopted in dealing with people of ethnicity and minority religious groups.

The cleric went on to say that they should be treated in such a way that they maintain a strong sense of being Iranian.

“It is my belief that Iranian ethnic and religious groups can play an equal role in the development and progress of the country,” the presidential hopeful said, adding that their talents should be utilized in the country’s management.

Raisi, who is the chief custodian of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, has been campaigning for the upcoming presidential election along with three other candidates, namely incumbent President Hassan Rouhani, Mostafa Hashemitaba, and Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim.

The Iranian presidential vote is scheduled to be held this Friday.

During the previous presidential election in June 2013, Hassan Rouhani garnered 50.7 percent of a total of over 36 million votes.

According to Ali Asghar Ahmadi, the head of the Interior Ministry’s State Elections Committee, a total of 56,410,234 Iranians can cast their ballots in the election this year.

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