Dr. Ayat Peyman, Secretary-General of the World Center for Shiite Studies and accompanying delegation, met with Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly on Thursday morning, June 23, 2022, in the meeting hall of the Assembly in Qom.
In this meeting, while appreciating the activities of the World Center for Shiite Studies, Ayatollah Ramazani on the achievements of the Islamic Revolution of Iran said, “The Islamic Revolution of Iran has had many achievements, including the evolution of research activities on religion in the world. So that today many universities are researching about different religions, including Islam, which is a blessed thing.”
“Before the Islamic Revolution, some theorists argued that there would be no religious revolution in the world. But today, thanks to the Islamic Revolution of Iran, religion plays a significant role in the social and political spheres, and it is researched in scientific and academic centers as well as universities around the world,” he added.
“In our view, religion has a maximum presence in various fields, and it is comprehensive and inclusive. Unfortunately, some seek to distort the meaning of religion, and do not present it comprehensively. Those who ignore the truth of the lofty teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and narrow the Shia to Tatbir (a form of ritual bloodletting, practiced as an act of mourning that is forbidden by many Shiite ulama), neglect the original logic and literature of the AhlulBayt (a.s.),” continued the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, noting the need for a profound, accurate and comprehensive study on Shiism.
Emphasizing the need for accurate introduction of Shia in the world, Ayatollah Ramazani added, “Today, the world hears more about ISIL’s deviations than Shiite logic, and this is due to the evil of the media empire in the world which intends to introduce ISIL more and make the face of Islam look violent.”
“The media give a tribune to ISIL, but do not give the Shiites the opportunity to disseminate the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). Also, in prestigious universities around the world, professors who have a view on Islam similar to Imam Khomeini’s view, and introduce it comprehensively, are not allowed to work. This is while the insignificant professors who have minimal views of Islam are invited to the same universities. In Western universities, Shiite culture is not allowed to be propagated and promoted, because they are afraid of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school,” he also stated.
“It is upon the seminaries to introduce the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) comprehensively to the world,” the professor of the high levels of the seminary continued, “Affection is a part of Islam. But on the other hand, there is resistance, which forbids us to be submissive to oppression. Resistance is a part of divine mercy. Therefore, the so-called Rahmani (compassionate) Islam, and violent Islam, are two blades of the same scissors to undermine authentic and original Islam.”
“In history, there has never been an opportunity to propagate the school of AhlulBayt (a.s.) like today. We must seize these opportunities and introduce various dimensions of the school of the Family of Revelation to the world,” he stressed.
“The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly has many capacities. A change has been made in the new structure of the Assembly, and new general directorates of Cyberspace, Education, Thought, and Supervision and Inspection were added to the new organizational chart. We seek to develop activities and communication,” Ayatollah Ramazani stated, explaining about the activities of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Previously, students from 8 countries were studying at AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, which has increased to 16 countries today, and we want this number to reach 40 countries in the future. Also, the fields of study at this international university have increased from 7 to 16. Today, we have even added some non-humanities and engineering majors to the university,” he added.
“The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly seeks to raise the intellectual level of the followers of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) in the world,” the Secretary-General of the Assembly continued, “In the General Directorate of Education, we are looking to prepare textbooks. The General Directorate of Cyberspace is one of the newly established sections of the Assembly. I should say that the Assembly is associated with more than 3,200 preachers around the world.”
Emphasizing the importance of introducing the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school in contemporary and international languages, he added, “To achieve this goal, we must enlist the help of native missionaries in each region and move on to writing books by native scholars. We should not confine our work to translation. Because each book is written according to the environment and context of its author, and books written in Iran are not necessarily suitable for propagating Islam in other countries. Therefore, the observance of indigenous requirements is one of the principles of propagating religion.”
“Attention to works of art to introduce the AhlulBayt (a.s.) is one of the necessities of the modern era. Unfortunately, in the West, a film called “The Lady of Heaven” has been produced and released with the aim of creating religious disputes. The film is to the detriment of the Shiites and the Islamic world. The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly reviewed and criticized the film and analyzes were well received after were sent to the marjas and dignitaries. The movie “The Lady of Heaven” is the sedition of today. Referring to this film, some people insult the Shiites,” Ayatollah Ramazani added.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Ayat Peyman, Secretary-General of the World Center for Shiite Studies, and his accompanying delegation, presented a report on the activities of the Center to the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.