Roni Alpha, the Al Mayadeen bureau chief in Beirut, attended the 6th Imam Reza International Congress in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. He noted that the presence of representatives from various religions, sects, ethnicities, and countries at the gathering highlights the extensive capacity of Razavi teachings to foster convergence among nations.
“Imam Reza Shrine continues to attract people from across the globe even centuries after his martyrdom,” he said.
Reflecting on his previous visits, he described his attendance at the shrine as a valuable honor. “This is not the first time I have had the privilege of being in this holy place, as I have visited the Imam Reza Shrine previously,” he said.
He explained his participation in the congress within the framework of the Resistance Front, stressing the importance of confronting expansionist projects affecting West Asia.
“Today, I have participated in this conference to stand against the hegemonic projects that have affected the entire West Asia region,” he said.
The Lebanese thinker identified the diversity of attendees as a prominent feature of the event.
“A notable point in this conference is the presence of individuals from various religions, sects, and ethnicities, ranging from Europe and North America to Arab countries,” he said.
He stressed that this diversity demonstrates that Imam Reza (A), despite the centuries that have passed since his martyrdom, retains the ability to bring people together.
“People come to this holy shrine to visit and seek prayers and blessings from Imam Reza (A). This capacity demonstrates the status of this great Imam in establishing connections among nations and followers of different religions and sects,” he said.
Addressing the regional security landscape, he stressed the importance of solidarity among regional nations in confronting new colonialism.
“These projects target the independence, sovereignty, and future of the countries in the region,” he said.
He further emphasized the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is in a different geopolitical position compared to the past.