AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The 2nd scientific-specialized conference “The study of the works and indicators of the introduction of Shiite Islam in the international arena in the contemporary world” will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, in the conference hall of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Qom.
The organizers of this conference were AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and Islamic Culture and Communication Organization, in cooperation with Al Bayan Institute for Communication, Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) University, University of Religions and Denominations, General Directorate of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Qom, Scientific Association of Translation and Foreign Languages of the Seminary, Faculty of Theology of Teheran University, Center for International and Communication of Seminaries, Tolou International Center, International Institute Al-Huda, and Al-Mortaza (a.s.) International Institute.
First part
In the first part of this conference, Hojat al-Islam, Dr. Mahdi Farmanian, Deputy for Scientific and Cultural Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, and a faculty member of the University of Religions and Denominations, gave lecture on the “Requirements to introduce Shiite Islam to non-Shiites”. Then Professor Legenhausen, translator and a Lasting Figure of philosophy and a faculty member of the Imam Khomeini (r.a.) Education and Research Institute, gave lecture on the “Comparative study of the works of introduction of Islam and Christianity in the West”.
Second part
In the second part of this conference, Dr. Yousuf Daneshvar Nilo, Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Toronto and a faculty member of the Imam Khomeini (r.a.) Education and Research Institute, gave a lecture on “Suitable book to introduce Shiite Islam, comparing the works of Western scholars who study Shiism”.
There is no sympathetic ear
Professor Legenhausen, a faculty member of the Imam Khomeini (r.a.) Education and Research Institute, who chose the topic of “Comparative study of the works of introduction of Islam and Christianity in the West” for his presentation, stated, “Muslims claim to advocate the truth and are always looking for those who will listen to them. However, we must first listen to what is being said about us so that we can understand the international mental environment about Muslims and respond it accordingly.”
Regarding the effective communication between domestic and foreign Islamic institutions, he stated, “In order to know the audience, we should go to Islamic centers and scientific institutions in different countries and ask them for help in publishing content that suits the needs of the people of that region. For example, the Ismaili Organization of London or the Islamic University of England are among the institutions active in UK, and with communicating with them we can speed up the process of spreading Shiite concepts in the country.”
“Most of the books written in the Shiite community are only suitable for Muslims and answer doubts. This is while the western society must first hear the correct description of Islam and learn about the history, ethics and spirituality of Shia so that it be inclined towards it,” Dr. Legenhausen added.
For the dissemination of Shiite teachings in foreign countries, he suggested important topics about which there is a severe lack of works.
His suggested topics are as follows:
- Paying attention to the Arabic language as the literary tradition of Islam, examining the Shiite denominations in terms of their commonalities, differences and history, which prepares the audience's mental conditions for knowing Islam,
- Answering doubts and expressing theological and philosophical issues for the academic, non-academic, non-Shiite audience, and even Shiites living abroad, or examining Shiite rites and rituals such as Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and describing its spiritual atmosphere,
- Studying of the history of Shia from the time of its inception to the separation of their theological and philosophical path from the Sunnis, dealing with the differences and challenges of Shia throughout history and investigating its causes, introducing the Shiite historical calendar and the Shiite important days that express their historical identity,
- One of the significant issues in the international arena is the art, which the Islamic world enjoys. Poetry and architecture of important places are classified in this category,
- Introduction of Shiite Islamic sciences (intellectual and narrative) and important religious centers, such as the seminary, or a look at the life of AhlulBayt (a.s.) and Shiite dignitaries who are the important foundations of Shiite scientific heritage,
- Studying the social structure of Shiites and their sociology, especially during the days when they gather for an important event or introducing the holy places of Shiites such as: the shrines of AhlulBayt (a.s.) or the children of imams, which are important in the Shiite society.
“Western societies are looking for a comprehensive and correct description of the beliefs and history of Islam, not the evidence to prove them, and there is no correct understanding of their conception in this regard,” Legenhausen said at the end of his speech.
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