AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): With the efforts of the Office of Islamic Studies on Cyberspace, the international Conference “Religious Life in the Age of Global Platforms” was held at the Al-Mortaza Institution.
In this event, which was held with the presentation of scholars from Iran and other countries, domestic and foreign speakers expressed their views on the possibility of religious life in the era of virtual space.
At the beginning of the conference the scientific secretary of this conference, Mahmoud Rafian said: We find ourselves in a time where technology and the digital realm have become integral parts of our daily lives. we are surrounded by cyberspace and its domination. we are living in this area. Everything depends on cyberspace. Shopping, education, exams, games, entertainment, sports, eating, worship, understanding the time of prayer, all depend on cyberspace. You cannot imagine yourself independent of cyberspace and free from cyberspace.
Then he mentioned the saying of Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei:
“This is because cyberspace is really a growing and unstoppable world. There is no end to this world. No matter how hard we look, the thing that is infinite and endless is cyberspace.”
The speakers at this international conference included: Dr. Ahmad Olya’i Faculty member of Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy, Dr. Sajjadi, the Vice chancellor of International Affairs of Baqir al-Ulum University, Hojat al-Islam Dr. Qanbari, Vice chancellor of International Affairs of Al-Mustafa International University, Dr. Jahangiri, the head of the Qom Office of Culture and Communication, Dr. Chegini, the Vice chancellor of International Affairs of the Office of Islamic Studies of cyberspace, Dr. Saqib Riyaz, the chairman of Allama Iqbal Open University Pakistan, and Dr. Sahar Khomis, a professor at the University of Maryland, USA.
The important topics and points presented by the professors at this conference are as follows:
- Today’s world is a time of change and revolution in interpersonal communications, which is not limited to the family and home as in the past.
- The new generation obtains their information from global platforms by choosing from all over the world.
- Muslims and religious people can use the opportunities created on global platforms to advance the goals of Islam and religion.
- Virtual space and platforms are in the hands of the powerful and wealthy in the world, which makes it difficult for Muslims.
- Observing components such as peaceful coexistence and approximation issues in virtual environments have special importance.
- The main teachings of Islam, which is peace and tranquility, should be considered in creating new structures.The growth of the Muslim youth population worldwide and the increasing use of social media are two factors that should be taken into account in the era of global platforms.
- New media are like a double-edged sword, with many advantages and disadvantages, and we can use its advantages to counter its disadvantages.Advancing society towards democracy, listening to the voices of all Muslims, and creating dialogue among them are the benefits of new media in today’s world.
- Fighting Islamophobia, which is now being promoted in many Western media, is another opportunity that the media has provided to Muslims.
- One successful example of using social networks was the launch of the #Hnds_off_my_hijab campaign in France against the hijab ban law.
- Today, prominent international media such as BBC and CNN focus on weakening Islamic foundations and creating divisions among Muslims.
- The best way to counter the media onslaught of enemies is the unity of Islamic media around Islamic foundations.
- In a world that has become a global village, Muslim media must have a higher position to be able to break free from media isolation.
- The main task of Muslim leaders, researchers, and scholars is to neutralize the Western media attacks by presenting the true face of Islam.
At the end, the participants received certificates of attendance at the conference.
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