The 2nd scientific-specialized conference “The study of the works and indicators of the introduction of Shiite Islam in the international arena in the contemporary world” will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, in the conference hall of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Qom.

The organizers of this conference were AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and Islamic Culture and Communication Organization, in cooperation with Al Bayan Institute for Communication, Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) University, University of Religions and Denominations, General Directorate of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Qom, Scientific Association of Translation and Foreign Languages ​​of the Seminary, Faculty of Theology of Teheran University, Center for International and Communication of Seminaries, Tolou International Center, International Institute Al-Huda, and Al-Mortaza (a.s.) International Institute.

First part

In the first part of this conference, Hojat al-Islam, Dr. Mahdi Farmanian, Deputy for Scientific and Cultural Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, and a faculty member of the University of Religions and Denominations, gave lecture on the “Requirements to introduce Shiite Islam to non-Shiites”. Then Professor Legenhausen, translator and a Lasting Figure of philosophy and a faculty member of the Imam Khomeini (r.a.) Education and Research Institute, gave lecture on the “Comparative study of the works of introduction of Islam and Christianity in the West”.

Second part

In the second part of this conference, Dr. Yousuf Daneshvar Nilo, Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Toronto and a faculty member of the Imam Khomeini (r.a.) Education and Research Institute, gave a lecture on “The favorable impression of introducing Shiite Islam, comparing the works of Western scholars who study Shiism”.

Changing the approach from translation to authorship

Offering his congratulation on the birth anniversary of Imam Hassan Askari (a.s.), regarding the “Necessities of introducing Shiite Islam to non-Shias” Dr. Farmanian said, “In order to introduce Shiite Islam to the world, the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly has published 2000 volumes of books in 36 languages and presented them to those interested in this field.”

Regarding the problems of spreading the concepts of Shia Islam in the international arena, he said, “The most important problem in this regard can be the approach of translation rather than authoring. Because in translation the concepts may not be conveyed correctly, and the insufficiency of words to convey the meanings is evident.”

“To introduce Shia in the world, we should not necessarily look for the publication of the works of grand sources of emulation or dignitaries. Because these works contain intra-Islamic content and are not useful for the international audience,” added Farmanian.

While emphasizing the necessity of considering the requirements, conditions and intellectual concerns of each region, he listed the following solutions for changing the approach of religious centers in this regard:

- The approach of presenting the content should be for the introduction of Shia and extra-Islamic so that it is welcomed by the domestic and foreign audience. Because critical or intra-Islamic topics are not applicable to the general audience.

- We should not only express religious content, but we should also extend the scope of introducing Shia in the areas of ethics, history, and jurisprudence, and pay attention to the diversity of the audience, whether young people, adolescents, scholars or the general public.

- Simple and understandable writing is another important way to promote the teachings of AhlulBayt (a.s.) in the world, and religious institutions are weak in this regard, and most of the books in this field are only suitable for experts in religious sciences, not the general public. In WikiShia (The online encyclopedia for answering religious questions, under the supervision of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly), this issue has been taken to consideration as much as possible.

- Concepts should match the daily needs of each region. Pakistan’s needs are different from UK’s, and if this is not properly respected, we will witness the emergence of new disputes and challenges in the region.

At the end of his speech, the Deputy for Scientific-Cultural Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Islamic centers appear strong in the production of Islamic books, but they are weak in publishing and distributing the same works. I hope that the formation of a committee for coordination between Islamic centers to produce and monitor the works of Shiite Islam in the international arena will be the result of this series of sessions.”

Source: Abna24