On Thursday, July 21, 2022, on the occasion of the launch of WikiShia in three new languages of Hindi, Chinese and Swahili, a ceremony was held in the conference hall of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, with the presence of the WikiShia researchers, and Ayatollah Ramazani the Secretary-General and managers of the Assembly.
In the ceremony, appreciating the hard work and efforts of the officials and researchers of WikiShia virtual encyclopedia, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani said, “By setting the objectives accurately, we should try to add more other languages to the WikiShia.”
“Each WikiShia article as an authentic text from the prestigious organization of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, is considered as a part of the theory of Islam and the school of AhlulBayt (a.s.). We should try for the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and the WikiShia to become a scientific authority in the world. The WikiShia should be considered the encyclopedia of AhlulBayt (a.s.) in the world,” he said on the WikiShia’s position.
Stressing the necessity of serious investment to develop the WikiShia encyclopedia, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly added, “It is necessary to pay more attention to regional policies in preparing and editing WikiShia entries. On the other hand, we should prioritize uploading important entries in different languages.”
“We should introduce the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school with persuasive not proscribing approach,” he continued, “WikiShia visitors should be familiarized with the conduct of AhlulBayt (a.s.). Also, the visitors should follow the ShiaWiki as a reliable and authentic source. WikiShia should pay attention to different groups of the audience.”
While recommending the necessity of Jihadi (voluntary) work in WikiShia encyclopedia, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “Our audience in WikiShia is the people in general. But it is necessary for WikiShia to provide specialized content for expert audiences. It is also necessary to employ and promote qualified staff in different departments. Conducting training courses and skill enhancement is one of the necessary measures that should be adopted for researchers of the WikiShia. This religious encyclopedia must train experts for its missions. This is the duty of all departments of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly. We need to train expert and skilled staff in all departments.”
“WikiShia staff need to pay serious attention to the communicated policies and procedures. There is also a need to define detailed mechanisms for evaluating articles and researchers,” he continued.
“Qualification has components and indicators. In terms of form and content the WikiShia entries should be continuously reviewed. We have failed to properly implement internal and external interaction and synergy. It is necessary for WikiShia to interact and synergize with the Deputy Office of International Affairs, Deputy Office of the Scientific and Cultural Affairs, AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, and Thaqalayn TV. Because mutual recognition will lead to mutual understanding, interaction, and synergy, and will be a prelude to change. Without synergy, improvement and change will not be achieved,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, emphasizing the necessity of the qualitative development of WikiShia articles.
Regarding the translation of WikiShia entries into foreign languages, he said, “Translation is a skill. Therefore, training courses should be held, and translators and researchers should be trained for WikiShia. Translators and researchers in WikiShia should be appropriate to this encyclopedia. We also expect that the number of the entries will be increased.”
“We want the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to become a scientific authority in the world. One of the requirements of this issue is the promotion of the WikiShia. We will be asked about it on the Day of Judgment,” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized, emphasizing the need to identify the potential of WikiShia.
“We all need to seek change and change our mind software. In the virtual space, the Assembly should be pioneer and produce knowledge,” he said in the end, referring to the need to change the mind and attitude.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Ebrahim Amini, the head of Wiki Shia encyclopedia, presented a report to the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly on the process of launching the three new languages of Hindi, Chinese and Swahili in WikiShia encyclopedia.
At the end, three articles in Hindi, Chinese and Swahili languages were symbolically uploaded to WikiShia encyclopedia.