Addressing the opening of the 28th International Islamic Unity Conference in the Iranian capital Tehran, Rouhani said a group of mercenaries is sullying the image of Islam and condemned the Takfiri ISIL militants for committing atrocities in Iraq and Syria in the name of Islam.
"We should tell the world that Islam is not the religion of violence and extremism, but the religion of tolerance," the Iranian president added.
Rouhani also underlined the need for unity among Muslims and called on Islamic countries to take “practical” measures to foster unity.
“Today we should join hands and all Islamic scholars should make efforts so that the Muslim world would enjoy unity,” he said.
Rouhani also said that Iran will defend every Muslim standing against violence, terrorism and occupation.
Hundreds of Sunni and Shia scholars and intellectuals from more than 60 countries are attending the Tehran-hosted conference Unified Islamic Ummah: Challenges and Strategies.