Iran’s Supreme Leader served up an open letter to Western youth on his English-language Twitter account Wednesday afternoon, appealing to them to have an open mind when it comes to Islam, and to stay away from sources he thinks are heretical (think ISIS and Boko Haram). Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly addressed the Charlie Hebdo cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed, and used hashtags to implore young people to “not to allow offensive depictions against Islam create a gulf between you and the reality.”

Recent events in France& some Western countries have convinced me to talk directly to you, the youth of Europe & N.America. #CharlieHebdo — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

I’d like to talk to you about #Islam, particularly the horrifying image that is presented to you as Islam. #Letter4U — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

The provocation of a feeling of #horror & #hatred toward “others” has regrettably a long record in political history of the West. #Letter4U — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

In a wide-reaching opening, Khamenei drew an implicit link between the struggles and marginalization of Muslims in the West with that of other minorities facing discrimination. The Ayatollah urged young people to interrogate the reasons behind both offensive portrayals of Islam, and the us-vs.-them mentality promoted by ISIS and its ilk.

My first request is that you research the incentives behind the widespread tarnishing of the image of Islam.#Letter4U pic.twitter.com/iEympz7ux6 — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

My 2nd request is that agnst #prejudgments, try to gain a firsthand knowledge of #Islam. At least, know what they are frightening you about! — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

I don’t insist that you accept my or any particular reading of #Islam but not to allow Islam to be introduced to you by prejudices.#Letter4U — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

Don’t allow the arrogants to hypocritically introduce their own recruited terrorists as representatives of Islam. #ISIS #BokoHaram #Letter4U — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

I’d like you not to allow offensive depictions against #Islam create a gulf between you and the reality. #Islamophobia #Letter4U — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

You can’t fill the created gaps all alone but you can illuminate your surroundings by a bridge of #thought and #fairness. #Letter4U — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

Maybe,by ur sense of responsibility, future GEN would write history of interaction b/t Islam&West w lesser resentment pic.twitter.com/9nFLuxarkw — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 21, 2015

The open letter ends on a note of hope — perhaps foreshadowing the end of decades of “clash of civilizations” scholarship on Islam and the West. And it comes after years of back-channel overtures toward Iran’s leadership by President Obama, who made improving relations with the Islamic Republic one of his top priorities early on.