A senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirzai lashed out at Wahabism, stressing that such doctrine is marring the image of true Islam.

A senior Iranian cleric Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirzai lashed out at Wahabism, stressing that such doctrine is marring the image of true Islam.

Speaking at the ceremony to launch the website on exposing Wahabism in Tehran on Tuesday, he said, “ISIL and al-Nusra are vicious children of Wahabism,” referring to Takfiri groups operating in Syria and other countries across the Islamic world.

“Wahabis are not only targeting Muslims but also the principle of Islam. They are attempting to introduce Islam as a violent religion and are giving such an excuse to the anti-Islam elements,” IRNA news agency quoted Ayatollah Shirazi as saying.

 In the meantime, he added, “We are more concerned about Islam because they are marring the image of Islam.”

“Who has given the Wahabis the permission to feel that they are custodians of all Muslims?” he asked.

“Their imaginary belief has led them to antagonize all of Islamic scholars and to threaten them to accept their thought or lose their lives.”