Addressing a gathering of Iranian officials in charge of holding the June 14 presidential elections, the Leader called for the continued condemnation of desecration of the holy shrine of the ancient Muslim figure Hujr ibn Adi, a companion of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

The leader hailed the Shiite community for its response to the incident, saying that the Shiite Muslims showed that they are not deceived by the enemy plots. He also praised the Sunni brothers who condemned the incident.

Ayatollah Khamenei further warned that such sacrilegious acts could spread if Muslim scholars and political figures fail to condemn them.

“Muslims, especially elites and scientific, political and religious figures in the Muslim world should fulfill their duty towards this evil mindset and prevent the spread of sedition [between Muslims].”

The foreign-backed militants in Syria have attacked the mausoleum and exhumed the grave of Hujr in suburb of Adra in Syria’s capital, Damascus, and taken his remains to an unknown location.

The Al-Qaeda affiliated al-Nusrah group has claimed responsibility for the destruction of the shrine.