TEHRAN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday called the cause of Palestine as major issue of the Islamic world and urged Muslims to fight Israel with "whatever means possible."
Khamenei made the remarks in an address to a gathering of Iranians in the capital Tehran.
"According to Islamic jurisprudence, when an enemy takes over Muslim lands, Jihad (struggle or fight against enemies of Islam) in any possible form becomes everyone's duty," Khamenei was quoted by Press TV as saying.
"Palestine is the number one issue of the Islamic world, but some Islamic countries are acting in such a way that as if the Palestinian case had been ignored and forgotten," Khamenei said.
"Today the fight against the Zionist regime is obligatory and necessary for Muslims," he said, urging unity among the Muslim states.
"Division and discord are harmful to Islam and the Islamic Ummah (nation)," he stressed.
Khamenei also hailed Al-Quds Day rallies on Friday and the massive turnout in the capital Tehran and other cities across Iran to support the Palestinian people.
On Friday, the ralliers chanted anti-Israel and anti-U.S. slogans and carried banners condemning Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian lands.
