ABWA’s Secretary-General Emphasized the Importance of “Clarification Jihad”
During a meeting with Najaf clerics in Qom, Ayatollah Reza Ramezani emphasized deeper cooperation between the Qom and Najaf seminaries, called for a renewed “jihad of clarification” against distortions of Islam, and highlighted the importance of reason and resistance in Islamic teachings. He also reviewed key initiatives of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
A number of clerics from Najaf met with Ayatollah Reza Ramezani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, during their visit to the Assembly’s headquarters in Qom.
In this meeting, Ayatollah Ramezani emphasized the necessity of strengthening interactions between the seminaries of Qom and Najaf.
“Such interactions must steadily increase,” he stated, “as the conditions in Qom and Najaf have evolved both in terms of infrastructure and intellectual resources. Strengthened communication and synergy can significantly enhance the dissemination of the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). In line with fostering ties between the two seminaries, we must create grounds for mutual understanding and collaboration. To achieve consensus, we must assess the current situation of Muslims worldwide and recognize the responsibilities placed upon the Shiites.”
The Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly added, “Given the existing foundation, we must move toward a transformative system to better clarify the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). Like Iran, Iraq is a central hub for the propagation of these teachings. Iraq is home to the shrines of six Infallible Imams (a.s.), serving as a sanctuary for Muslims and Shiites alike. Each year, Shiites gather in Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Therefore, to make better use of these capacities, a process of reevaluation and planning is essential.”
Ayatollah Ramezani stressed, “Since the era of the Imams (a.s.), never has Islam been as powerful and authoritative as it is today. There was a time when Eastern and Western blocs dominated the world, but today, the power that confronts the West is Islam. At the world’s prestigious universities, religious issues are being seriously studied. Because religious teachings have the potential to influence society, efforts are underway to understand and counter them. As Islam grows in strength, the hostility of its adversaries becomes increasingly manifest.”
Pointing out the contemporary forms of distortion of Islam, he noted, “The Umayyads and Abbasids distorted the Islam of the Prophet (p.b.u.h), Imam Ali (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.), and Imam Hussain (a.s.) in various ways. Today, however, liberal or violent versions of Islam are being promoted globally. Certain so-called Islamic intellectuals are seeking to distort the faith. To the extent that we are even witnessing distortions of the Sharia, with some proposing alternatives to prayer and fasting!”
Summarizing this part of his remarks, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Islam is powerful, and its enemies seek to infiltrate and strike at it. Thus, they resort to distorting it. For this reason, our Jihad must be a clarification Jihad.”
In another part of his address, responding to a series of contemporary social doubts, he said, “Islam is a religion of mercy; yet, at the same time, it emphasizes resistance in the face of oppressive global systems.”
This instructor of advanced jurisprudential studies at the Qom Seminary added, “The language for understanding Islam is of great importance. While the spoken language of Islam is Arabic, its language of comprehension is reason and Fitrah (innate human nature), both of which transcend time and era and apply to all generations. This is our response to those who claim that the Quran was revealed solely for the Arabs of the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h) time. We believe that the Quran’s language of comprehension is reason and Fitrah, which addresses all of humanity, hence it is eternal and everlasting.”
Regarding the necessity of presenting an accurate and profound interpretation of the Resistance movement and axis to society, he continued, “The Quranic discourse stands against the arrogant, the oppressors, and the colonial powers. There are four hundred verses in the Quran about jihad. Some argue that these verses should be discarded! Yet these very verses are essential when confronting tyrannical powers like the United States.”
In the final portion of his speech, Ayatollah Ramezani outlined some of the activities of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly across various departments, including the ABNA News Agency, WikiShia, and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University.
It is worth mentioning that at the conclusion of the meeting, some Iraqi clerics shared their views and concerns.
During a meeting with Najaf clerics in Qom, Ayatollah Reza Ramezani emphasized deeper cooperation between the Qom and Najaf seminaries, called for a renewed “jihad of clarification” against distortions of Islam, and highlighted the importance of reason and resistance in Islamic teachings. He also reviewed key initiatives of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
A number of clerics from Najaf met with Ayatollah Reza Ramezani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, during their visit to the Assembly’s headquarters in Qom.
In this meeting, Ayatollah Ramezani emphasized the necessity of strengthening interactions between the seminaries of Qom and Najaf.
“Such interactions must steadily increase,” he stated, “as the conditions in Qom and Najaf have evolved both in terms of infrastructure and intellectual resources. Strengthened communication and synergy can significantly enhance the dissemination of the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). In line with fostering ties between the two seminaries, we must create grounds for mutual understanding and collaboration. To achieve consensus, we must assess the current situation of Muslims worldwide and recognize the responsibilities placed upon the Shiites.”
The Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly added, “Given the existing foundation, we must move toward a transformative system to better clarify the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). Like Iran, Iraq is a central hub for the propagation of these teachings. Iraq is home to the shrines of six Infallible Imams (a.s.), serving as a sanctuary for Muslims and Shiites alike. Each year, Shiites gather in Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Therefore, to make better use of these capacities, a process of reevaluation and planning is essential.”
Ayatollah Ramezani stressed, “Since the era of the Imams (a.s.), never has Islam been as powerful and authoritative as it is today. There was a time when Eastern and Western blocs dominated the world, but today, the power that confronts the West is Islam. At the world’s prestigious universities, religious issues are being seriously studied. Because religious teachings have the potential to influence society, efforts are underway to understand and counter them. As Islam grows in strength, the hostility of its adversaries becomes increasingly manifest.”
Pointing out the contemporary forms of distortion of Islam, he noted, “The Umayyads and Abbasids distorted the Islam of the Prophet (p.b.u.h), Imam Ali (a.s.), Imam Hassan (a.s.), and Imam Hussain (a.s.) in various ways. Today, however, liberal or violent versions of Islam are being promoted globally. Certain so-called Islamic intellectuals are seeking to distort the faith. To the extent that we are even witnessing distortions of the Sharia, with some proposing alternatives to prayer and fasting!”
Summarizing this part of his remarks, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Islam is powerful, and its enemies seek to infiltrate and strike at it. Thus, they resort to distorting it. For this reason, our Jihad must be a clarification Jihad.”
In another part of his address, responding to a series of contemporary social doubts, he said, “Islam is a religion of mercy; yet, at the same time, it emphasizes resistance in the face of oppressive global systems.”
This instructor of advanced jurisprudential studies at the Qom Seminary added, “The language for understanding Islam is of great importance. While the spoken language of Islam is Arabic, its language of comprehension is reason and Fitrah (innate human nature), both of which transcend time and era and apply to all generations. This is our response to those who claim that the Quran was revealed solely for the Arabs of the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h) time. We believe that the Quran’s language of comprehension is reason and Fitrah, which addresses all of humanity, hence it is eternal and everlasting.”
Regarding the necessity of presenting an accurate and profound interpretation of the Resistance movement and axis to society, he continued, “The Quranic discourse stands against the arrogant, the oppressors, and the colonial powers. There are four hundred verses in the Quran about jihad. Some argue that these verses should be discarded! Yet these very verses are essential when confronting tyrannical powers like the United States.”
In the final portion of his speech, Ayatollah Ramezani outlined some of the activities of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly across various departments, including the ABNA News Agency, WikiShia, and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University.
It is worth mentioning that at the conclusion of the meeting, some Iraqi clerics shared their views and concerns.