AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The conference titled “Religious Scholars: Sharing Experiences and New Technologies” was held in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, with the participation of a number of religious preachers from across the country.
The event’s special guest was Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, who traveled to Senegal at the invitation of local religious leaders.
Recognizing Potential: A Prerequisite for Effective Preaching
Speaking at the conference, Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized the importance of identifying capabilities in the field of religious propagation.
“We must recognize each other’s potential in order to reach a shared understanding of the tasks ahead, which is essential before we can take collective action,” he stated. “Once these elements are aligned, synergy will naturally emerge.”
Addressing the preachers in attendance, he continued, “Each of you plays a vital role in the mission of Islamic propagation. You are on the frontlines, serving the Quran and the AhlulBayt (a.s.). It is crucial that we never separate the Quran from the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) in our efforts. Our goal must be to present both together to our audiences in a unified message.”
Senegal: A Pioneer in Islamic Growth in West Africa
Highlighting Senegal’s importance, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Senegal is one of the key countries in West Africa. Just as it is progressing economically, it must also advance religiously. Compare your current position to what it was 45 years ago. Consider the number of institutions dedicated to the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school now compared to then. Clearly, with God’s grace, our efforts are bearing fruit.”
He stressed the importance of Islamic unity, warning against the efforts of enemies who seek to divide the Muslim Ummah. “Both Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and Imam Khamenei have consistently emphasized the necessity of Islamic unity. When unity is achieved, it brings strength, politically, economically, and spiritually. The lack of unity is one of the reasons why Muslims today are subjected to economic injustices.”
Global Injustice and the Role of the Muslim Ummah
Ayatollah Ramazani also addressed the issue of global injustice, saying, “The world’s population is nearly eight billion, and its wealth should be shared among all nations. But this is far from reality. Here’s a staggering fact: 90 percent of the world’s wealth is held by only 10 percent of the population, while the remaining 90 percent must share just 10 percent of the wealth. This is injustice, plain and simple.”
He continued, “Islamic unity could play a powerful role in combating this injustice. If the Islamic countries of Africa pooled their resources for the benefit of the African people, what a transformation that would bring. Yet, some still insist on sowing discord among Muslims, even though we share so much in common. These commonalities must not be underestimated.”
Emphasizing the need to move toward collaborative action, Ayatollah Ramazani noted, “Many of you (participants in the conference) are now working individually and do not yet achieve the collective work level and integrating capabilities. But we must set lofty goals for ourselves and advance together toward those heights. Along the way, we should put aside minor differences.”
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