This 4-person group including two Muslims and two Christians were representing an agency whose aim was to upgrade inter-religions interactions. The group had traveled to Iran attend Islamic research foundation of Astan Quds Razavi and also to get familiar with the works and products of this center in area of dialogue among nations and proximity of Ibrahimi religions.
On the sideline of this visit, the head of Razavi culture and conduct department at Astan Quds Razavi Islamic Research Foundation introduced some activities of this center on the area of religions and reiterated, “Astan Quds Razavi Islamic Research Foundation is a center active in the area of science and research; we do believe that the more knowledge and wisdom on the part of pilgrims, the better pilgrimage for them”.
Amir Salmani Rahimi stated, “Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi started its activities since 1985 and it has been active for 33 years. These activities are done in the area of Qur’an, tradition, history, and religions, etc.”
He stressed, “Imam Reza (A.S.) is known as scientist and knowledgeable of the Muhammad’s (S.A.W.) household. Among the infallible Imams (A.S.), Imam Reza (A.S.) is the symbol of dialogue among religions and it is our duty to keep their conducts alive and also to introduce them. So, some conferences in the form of Christians and Jews researches are held here”.
This researcher went on to say, “At the time being, the humanity needs concentration on similarities of Islam and Christianity so that peace and friendship can be established among religions”.
Noting that we are on the eve of Imam Reza (A.S.) and religions’ dialogue, he added, “Astan Quds Razavi, al-Mustafa International University, and University of Religions Denominations are cooperating in this conference. Three forums will be held in India, Moscow, and Lebanon and the topics, date, and the location of the conference will be announced via internet”.
“Christians have been introduced by the Qur’an as the kindest and closest people to Muslims. We are ready to co-publish any existing research work in connection with Islam and Christianity”, Rahimi reiterated.
He continued, “The topics of dialogue among religions have been dealt with since the first days of Astan Quds Razavi Islamic Research Foundation. However, it is almost three years that a working group with the title of Islamic denominations has been launched in this center and all the researches are being done with this topic”.
Head of department of Razavi culture and conduct at Astan Quds Razavi Islamic Research Foundation added “This center has published six specific books on Christianity”.
He reminded, “Astan Quds Razavi is the biggest endowment organization and all the affiliations of this organization are the result of love and affection of people toward religion and infallible Imams (A.S.)”.
In continuation of his talk, Rahimi referred to the book of “Imam Reza (A.S.), heir of Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (S.A.W.)” which has been published by department of Razavi culture and conduct and asserted, “Imam Reza (A.S.) is the 8th Imam of Shia people. He is known, in Sunni people viewpoints, as a son and beloved of prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). He also enjoys, according to the Christianity, a scientific personality an in favor of dialogue with religious leaders of his time. Valid supplication books also introduced Imam Reza (A.S.) as heir of Hazrat Moses (A.S.) and Hazrat Jesus (A.S.)”.
Saying that national and international personality of Imam Reza (A.S.) have been introduced by this book, he said, “A look at life and scientific personality of the Imam (A.S.) with an emphasis on his debate with salient Sunni figures is the main content of this valuable work. This is a bilingual book (English and Persian)”.
It is worth mentioning that visiting various places at the Razavi Holy Shrine including central library, museums, and Razavi University of Islamic Sciences were other programs of this European group in Iran.
Monday 23 December 2024
