AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The opening ceremony of the major initiative “Quranic Lifestyle 2” was held at the conference hall of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, with Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the Assembly, delivering a keynote address.
At the outset of his remarks, Ayatollah Ramazani welcomed participants and expressed appreciation to the International Propagation Headquarters for organizing the program. He also congratulated attendees on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, describing it as an opportunity for intellectual, rational, and spiritual refinement.
Referring to the “Quranic Lifestyle 2” initiative, he stated, “In this endeavor, whose axis is the Quran, the skills of proper recitation, tajwid, and tartil must be accurately taught, as each has a profound impact both on the individual and on others. A melodious tartil recitation can be highly influential.” He added that Islamic narrations recount how Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.), during his recitations, would captivate passersby with the beauty of his voice. Likewise, historical accounts describe how the enemies, upon hearing the recitation of Imam Hussain (a.s.) on the night of Ashura, were deeply moved by its beauty.
The Secretary-General identified justice-centeredness as the fundamental reason for the revelation of the Quran. He said, “This Book and the Balance were sent so that society may uphold justice, ‘that the people may stand firmly for justice.’ The Prophet (p.b.u.h) was also tasked with explaining the Quran. In this regard, if at times someone does not follow the path, the problem lies with the individual, not with the preacher, although in some cases, the preacher may fail to embody the message properly, which is a separate issue.”
In a significant portion of his address, Ayatollah Ramazani discussed the Quran’s role in confronting modern challenges, stating, “Today, slavery has assumed a modern form. They seek to make nations subservient, humiliating and threatening them, and calling them to submission. The Quran has come to liberate humanity from this intellectual and cultural bondage.”
He continued, “The axis for resolving human problems lies in recognizing and adhering to the Holy Quran. When we seek to introduce Islam and its teachings, the Quran must be presented correctly. The Quran offers solutions for everything, for establishing justice, alleviating existential anxiety, healing the crisis of meaning, addressing family disintegration, and other human challenges.”
Pointing to intellectual voids in Western societies, he underscored the decisive role of religious preachers, adding, “We are facing a crisis of meaning and identity. Some young people in Germany and across Europe have said that they have lost their identity. Today, you are truly the physicians of identity clinics; your role is that of a healer, and you must treat the sense of identity loss that a young person experiences.”
Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized that Islam must respond to contemporary needs, noting that in one region he observed, more than 30 percent of the population had become secular due to the improper conduct of certain Christian believers, which had driven people away from religion. “We must be responsive and present the message of Islam with noble ethics,” he said.
He also highlighted the necessity of understanding cultural differences for effective international outreach, stating, “When one seeks to engage in international propagation, one must be familiar with cultures and civilizational sensitivities. The Quran itself follows this method; consider your audience in the international arena. The manner of speaking to the audience of Mecca was very different from addressing those who did not follow that path.”
In conclusion, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly referred to the efforts and struggles of Ruhollah Khomeini (r.a.) in the cause of religion and Islamic governance, stating that when Imam Mahdi (a.s.) reappears, he will prepare the ground in such a way that people’s intellects, knowledge, and awareness will be elevated.
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