The first international conference of media activists of the Indian subcontinent with the aim of interaction, consensus, and synergy, was held at the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly with the participation of activists from the countries of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and several other countries of the subcontinent.
ABWA Official Website – On the eve of Ten Days of Wilayah, and Eid al-Ghadir Khumm, the first international conference of the “Narrators AhlulBayt (a.s.)” was held on Saturday afternoon, June 24, 2023, at the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Qom, with the participation of more than 120 media activists from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and several other countries of the subcontinent.
At the beginning of the conference, while welcoming the participants, Hassan Sadraei Aref, the head of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) News Agency - ABNA, stated, “The Assembly and News Agency are named after AhlulBayt (a.s.), and the Assembly is the home of all the AhlulBayt (a.s.) enthusiasts. We hope that such conferences and gatherings will lead to constructive interaction and synergy among the AhlulBayt (a.s.) followers.”
Further in the conference, some media activists from the countries of the subcontinent presented their opinions.
Among the topics raised by the attendees were the formation of a union to establish communication between journalists and media activists, the opening of AhlulBayt News Agency - ABNA offices in some countries of the subcontinent, the support and material and spiritual attention of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to media activists, the role of ABNA News Agency as a connecting link of activists from different countries, as well as a more active presence in virtual space, and international messengers.
Hojat al-Islam Rezaei, cultural director of Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) International University, who was present at this conference, while appreciating the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and ABNA News Agency for holding the conference, stated, “Considering the Supreme Leader’s statements about the position of the media and Jihad of Enlightenment, the importance of holding this conference multiplies. We are experiencing a hybrid invasion from the enemies, part of which is the media war, which in turn requires our commensurate response.”
“Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) International University always seeks to provide cultural and scientific activity space for missionaries and media activists and moves in this direction,” Hojat al-Islam Rezaei added, “This university and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, due to the infrastructures and capacities they have, can hold training courses for media activists, and create a context for cooperation and convergence. With these collaborations, we will see the growth of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings in the Indian subcontinent.”
The special speaker of the conference was Ayatollah Ramazani, Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
While considering the activities of AhlulBayt (a.s.) media activists in the Indian subcontinent as valuable, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “While valuable in terms of content, these activities are implemented with minimal facilities. The activities of media activists in the virtual space have a brilliant record, the crème de la crème of which was the hymn “Salam Farmandeh” (Salute Commander) in different languages and with beautiful translations, which made a good impression on everyone.”
Referring to the impact of the Islamic Revolution on the world, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “In the past, some people thought that by promoting liberalism, all revolutions would be secular and non-religious. But they were faced with the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Now we have a golden opportunity in the world. Although we may not be considered among the most advanced in the world in terms of hardware, we have the strongest content in terms of soft power. No soft power can compete with the soft power of the AhlulBayt school. The school of liberalism has faced problems in promoting rationality and spirituality in the world.”
“In our media activities, we must have media literacy, media skills and ethics, and at the same time, we must use various formats such as cinema and animation, and learn the best and most effective formats,” he continued.
While emphasizing the necessity of continuing such conferences with activists from other areas by ABNA News Agency, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly added, “We need a database of media activists in the field of AhlulBayt (a.s.), in which we can gather capacities. Such activists have a high capacity that together can create a big media wave. The establishment of the Union of Media Activists is also one of the issues that should be considered, and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly is ready to help media activists in this regard.”
Pointing out the importance of Ghadir, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Media activists in the field of AhlulBayt (a.s.) should be active in the revival of Ghadir and try to introduce the Infallible Imams (a.s.) to the world, especially to the elites.”
Referring to the position of Islam in the world, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Enemies seek to distort the image of Islam in the world. Because the influence of Islam has become widespread in the world. Enemies promote ISIS-like Islam, and on the other hand, under the pretext of promoting compassionate Islam, they are looking for spreading liberal Islam. While the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), who was the prophet of mercy, resisted the tyrants.”
At the end of his speech, emphasizing the importance of hope in the media’s view and the publication of Shiite news in the world according to AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings, he said, “We must hope for the future of Muslims, and make the Islamic world hope for the future of Islam, and strengthen faith and hope among Muslims.”
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The Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) that was established by a group of Shiite elites under the supervision of the great Islamic authority of the Shiites in 1990 to identify, organize, educate and support the followers of Ahl al-Bayt.