Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution inspired Afghans to rise up against the Soviet forces and end the occupation, an Afghan religious leader says.

AVA- 'The effects of the Islamic Revolution are visible around the world,' Abdulghadir Alemi, West Kabul Friday sermon leader told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday. 

He described Iran’s revolution as a role model not only for regional states, but also for countries around the world, saying 'looking at such a model, the Afghans revolted against the authoritarian Soviet government and after years of fighting, they were victorious on February 15, 1989'.

The sermon leader called for a strategy to unite the Muslims 'at these crucial times of sedition and plot', adding that 'the Islamic world needs to use ideas of Islamic Revolution leader Ayatollah Khomeini to be saved from its current situation'. 

Alemi also praised Iran’s efforts to 'provide refuge' for displaced Afghans who left their country following the Soviet invasion. 'Many of them have academic degrees,' he added.