The Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Sunday suggested the promotion of “moderate and rational” Islam to counter “barbaric” terrorist activities by DAESH (ISIS) and other terrorist groups.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Sunday suggested the promotion of “moderate and rational” Islam to counter “barbaric” terrorist activities by DAESH and other terrorist groups.

His Eminence made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

“To counter barbarism and the harsh terrorism of DAESH and similar takfiri groups, who commit crimes under the name of Islam, people should be given opportunity to practice proper Islamic activities, and the best way to foil these [terrorist] movements is to strengthen moderate and rational Islamic thought”.

He said “savage crimes” such as slitting throats and burning people alive prove that these people are completely “alien” to Islam.

Islam is the religion of brotherhood and such crimes have nothing to do with Islam, Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.

Elsewhere in his remarks, His Eminence described Iran and Turkmenistan as two neighbors with “familial” ties which need to tap their great potential to expand cooperation.

“It is necessary to take effective and practical steps for implementing agreements” signed between the two countries and His Eminence described the borders between Iran and Turkmenistan as “borders of peace and calm” which have brought peace of mind for both sides.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said that Turkmenistan can use Iranian soil to access the Persian Gulf and the open seas and that this is a “valuable opportunity”.

For his part, Berdimuhamedow said that Iran and Turkmenistan enjoy historic and good relations.

The president also praised Ayatollah Khameneni, calling him a skilled and thoughtful leader whose recommendations have brought about good results for Turkmenistan.

“Your statements, as an intelligent leader and thoughtful man, are very valuable to us and acting on your recommendations has led to very good results,” Berdimuhamedow pointed out.

He said that there are potentials in expanding ties between Turkmenistan and Iran in the gas and oil industry.

The Turkmen president also said that the political situation in the Middle East region is “unpleasant”.

Pointing to the crimes being committed by DAESH, he said that such groups have nothing to do with Islam and that they are supported by some governments.