We believe in multidimensional synergy between religions: Ayatollah Ramazani
A scientific seminar entitled “Improving Human Relations in the Post-Covid-19 Period, Inspired by the Teachings of Islam and Christianity” was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in the central building of the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.).
A scientific seminar entitled “Improving Human Relations in the Post-Covid-19 Period, Inspired by the Teachings of Islam and Christianity” was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in the central building of the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.).
In this seminar, Prof. Ioan Sauca, Secretary-General of the World Council of Churches, Prof. Simon Sein, Dean of the Swiss Theological Seminary, Hojat al-Islam Dr. Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Representative of the President in the Board of Trustees of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, and Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and a member of the Assembly of Leadership Experts delivered speeches.
At the meeting, referring to the capacity of universities as a golden opportunity to interact on various topics, including dialogue, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Dialogue does not need a reason. Given the commonalities between the Abrahamic religions, we have a special belief in synergy of religions in various dimensions. Today, however, dialogue is not only among the Abrahamic religions, but also among human religions, and in the meantime, some are looking for the idea of universal ethics.”
“Dialogue should exist not only among thinkers and prominent figures, but also in the body of the society, especially among students, and the rulers of the world should believe in it. Because in the light of these dialogues, golden opportunities for improving the human condition are created. Humans love to live together, and of course this life is based on interaction, peaceful coexistence, trying to solve problems, and developing relationships. To achieve this, we must seek a solution, especially during the Covid-19 epidemic, problems arose and the need for a solution became more apparent,” he continued.
“One of the reasons for the problems is the lack of a precise definition of humanity, and we separated man from his divine construction. Man’s growing distance from spirituality, and his separation from communications, introduced other interests into human life, and separated man from divine construction. Therefore, we need to develop precise concepts to solve these problems,” reminded the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Anxiety, poverty, modern slavery, injustice and environmental problems are among the problems of human beings. Today human face a kind of suffering from lack of a clear identity, and anxiety in human societies, and these are dangerous problems. According to statistics, one third of the world’s forests have been destroyed by humans. Man, on the other hand, faces a kind of modern slavery. One of the aspects of injustice in the world is the “veto” right that some countries use for discrimination and injustice. Therefore, all global organizations must work together to interact, integrate, and develop communication for a peaceful and just life. The requirement for peaceful living, is rationality and spirituality. Of course, justice should have been discussed much earlier. On the other hand, today we face a kind of deviant spirituality that leads people to accept oppression by calling for inaction and determinism. This deviation is not in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which everyone claims to support,” he explained.
“A religion which begins with mercy is not compatible with deviation. Therefore, we should seek responsible spirituality, not spirituality that supports the acceptance of oppression,” added Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Due to the outbreak of the Qovid-19 virus, we have witnessed events that have taken a heavy toll on human societies. Even human justice was damaged, interactions were reduced, and most communications became virtual. Solving the problems of others is a religious teaching, and accordingly, the problem of others is my problem. For example, during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, clergymen and scholars attended hospitals and performed great rites, including religious rulings on the those who died due to the virus,” he said.
“Religious rulings must provide the basis for individual and social health. For example, zakat can strengthen the spirit of cooperation. With deep regard to the social rulings of religion, we must move beyond the Covid-19 era to avoid problems such as suffering from a lack of a clear identity, suicide, poverty, and different social ills,” Ayatollah Ramazani stated.
Following the seminar, Professor Ioan Sauca, Secretary-General of the World Council of Churches, said, “The World Council of Churches encourages everyone to have dialogue, and we have a good relationship with Iran in this regard. No problem will be solved until there is a conversation. We are concerned about issues such as global warming and damage to human dignity. The main goal of the World Council of Churches is to achieve unity among human beings. God is not only the God of Christians, but we are all the family of humanity, and God wants unity among human beings. Despite some differences, we must communicate. We have to admit that not everyone can think alike. Therefore, we have to have dialogue.”
“During the Covid-19 outbreak, we used technology to communicate. But how could we worship online? Of course, this practice should not continue. Because human beings love to be together, they are social, and they cannot be isolated. We learned a lot during the Covid-19 outbreak. For example, we tried very hard to respond to those who forbade people to get vaccinated. Because they thought the vaccine was evil!” he continued.
Following the seminar, Professor Simon Sein, Dean of the Swiss Theological Seminary, said, “We must recognize man and have a scientific understanding of man. Because every human being has desires and emotions. Recognition is not a demarcated action. Rather, it is a talent for relationships between communities.”
“To improve human relationships under Covid-19 influence, we must change behaviors and see others with the unity of the heart. Seeing with the heart leads to recognition. This kind of view should also exist among politicians. The Quran and the Bible have rich resources for individuals to recognize each other,” he said in another part of his speech.
In the other part of the seminar, on the role of ethics and religion in the post-Covid period, the need to strengthen unity and peaceful coexistence, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari said, “Religion and morality have always been the two sources of human guidance and felicity. Therefore, this issue has been constantly raised among scientists, intellectuals, and philosophical schools.”
“Common moral teachings can influence individuals and societies and resolve historical and social tensions, and religion leads people to spiritual evolution,” he added.
To see photos of this seminar, click here.
A scientific seminar entitled “Improving Human Relations in the Post-Covid-19 Period, Inspired by the Teachings of Islam and Christianity” was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in the central building of the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.).
A scientific seminar entitled “Improving Human Relations in the Post-Covid-19 Period, Inspired by the Teachings of Islam and Christianity” was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in the central building of the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.).
In this seminar, Prof. Ioan Sauca, Secretary-General of the World Council of Churches, Prof. Simon Sein, Dean of the Swiss Theological Seminary, Hojat al-Islam Dr. Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Representative of the President in the Board of Trustees of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, and Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and a member of the Assembly of Leadership Experts delivered speeches.
At the meeting, referring to the capacity of universities as a golden opportunity to interact on various topics, including dialogue, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Dialogue does not need a reason. Given the commonalities between the Abrahamic religions, we have a special belief in synergy of religions in various dimensions. Today, however, dialogue is not only among the Abrahamic religions, but also among human religions, and in the meantime, some are looking for the idea of universal ethics.”
“Dialogue should exist not only among thinkers and prominent figures, but also in the body of the society, especially among students, and the rulers of the world should believe in it. Because in the light of these dialogues, golden opportunities for improving the human condition are created. Humans love to live together, and of course this life is based on interaction, peaceful coexistence, trying to solve problems, and developing relationships. To achieve this, we must seek a solution, especially during the Covid-19 epidemic, problems arose and the need for a solution became more apparent,” he continued.
“One of the reasons for the problems is the lack of a precise definition of humanity, and we separated man from his divine construction. Man’s growing distance from spirituality, and his separation from communications, introduced other interests into human life, and separated man from divine construction. Therefore, we need to develop precise concepts to solve these problems,” reminded the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Anxiety, poverty, modern slavery, injustice and environmental problems are among the problems of human beings. Today human face a kind of suffering from lack of a clear identity, and anxiety in human societies, and these are dangerous problems. According to statistics, one third of the world’s forests have been destroyed by humans. Man, on the other hand, faces a kind of modern slavery. One of the aspects of injustice in the world is the “veto” right that some countries use for discrimination and injustice. Therefore, all global organizations must work together to interact, integrate, and develop communication for a peaceful and just life. The requirement for peaceful living, is rationality and spirituality. Of course, justice should have been discussed much earlier. On the other hand, today we face a kind of deviant spirituality that leads people to accept oppression by calling for inaction and determinism. This deviation is not in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which everyone claims to support,” he explained.
“A religion which begins with mercy is not compatible with deviation. Therefore, we should seek responsible spirituality, not spirituality that supports the acceptance of oppression,” added Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Due to the outbreak of the Qovid-19 virus, we have witnessed events that have taken a heavy toll on human societies. Even human justice was damaged, interactions were reduced, and most communications became virtual. Solving the problems of others is a religious teaching, and accordingly, the problem of others is my problem. For example, during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, clergymen and scholars attended hospitals and performed great rites, including religious rulings on the those who died due to the virus,” he said.
“Religious rulings must provide the basis for individual and social health. For example, zakat can strengthen the spirit of cooperation. With deep regard to the social rulings of religion, we must move beyond the Covid-19 era to avoid problems such as suffering from a lack of a clear identity, suicide, poverty, and different social ills,” Ayatollah Ramazani stated.
Following the seminar, Professor Ioan Sauca, Secretary-General of the World Council of Churches, said, “The World Council of Churches encourages everyone to have dialogue, and we have a good relationship with Iran in this regard. No problem will be solved until there is a conversation. We are concerned about issues such as global warming and damage to human dignity. The main goal of the World Council of Churches is to achieve unity among human beings. God is not only the God of Christians, but we are all the family of humanity, and God wants unity among human beings. Despite some differences, we must communicate. We have to admit that not everyone can think alike. Therefore, we have to have dialogue.”
“During the Covid-19 outbreak, we used technology to communicate. But how could we worship online? Of course, this practice should not continue. Because human beings love to be together, they are social, and they cannot be isolated. We learned a lot during the Covid-19 outbreak. For example, we tried very hard to respond to those who forbade people to get vaccinated. Because they thought the vaccine was evil!” he continued.
Following the seminar, Professor Simon Sein, Dean of the Swiss Theological Seminary, said, “We must recognize man and have a scientific understanding of man. Because every human being has desires and emotions. Recognition is not a demarcated action. Rather, it is a talent for relationships between communities.”
“To improve human relationships under Covid-19 influence, we must change behaviors and see others with the unity of the heart. Seeing with the heart leads to recognition. This kind of view should also exist among politicians. The Quran and the Bible have rich resources for individuals to recognize each other,” he said in another part of his speech.
In the other part of the seminar, on the role of ethics and religion in the post-Covid period, the need to strengthen unity and peaceful coexistence, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari said, “Religion and morality have always been the two sources of human guidance and felicity. Therefore, this issue has been constantly raised among scientists, intellectuals, and philosophical schools.”
“Common moral teachings can influence individuals and societies and resolve historical and social tensions, and religion leads people to spiritual evolution,” he added.
To see photos of this seminar, click here.