Interfaith dialogue inspired by Imam Reza emphasized at Beirut conference

The 7th preparatory session for International Congress on Imam Reza highlights ethics, human dignity, and justice.

News ID: ۸۸

Date: ۰۷ فروردين ۲۰۲۶ - ۱۹:۲۲

The seventh international preparatory session for the International Congress on Imam Reza was held in Beirut with scholars of Abrahamic faiths in attendance, focusing on the necessity of interfaith dialogue inspired by the Imam’s legacy.
The event underscored ethical conduct, human dignity, and justice as central themes for contemporary religious and social discourse.
Speaking in the event, Dr. Zeinab Mehna, specialist in contemporary Islamic thought, delivered a lecture on ‘Dialogue of Religions and the Legacy of Imam Reza’.
“Imam Reza’s debates, such as his dialogue with the Christian Catholicos, serve as models of rationality and ethical integrity in interfaith engagement”, she stressed.
Mehna argued that dialogue must extend beyond shared beliefs to address differences openly, maintaining respect while affirming identity.
Also speaking in the session, Dr. Talal Atris, professor of social and political sciences, called for redefining “human dignity” in today’s world through the lens of Imam Reza’s teachings.
He criticized Western civilization for undermining dignity and urged a synthesis of Islamic and Western perspectives to restore its meaning.
“Diversity of roles should not obscure the ultimate goal of safeguarding human value”, Atris emphasized.
Elsewhere, Dr. Zeinab Mohammad Kazem, linguist and translator, discussed “Razavi Justice,” linking Imam Reza’s political thought to the emergence of resistance discourse in Iran and the rise of figures such as Imam Khomeini.
She argued: “Imam Reza’s school shaped diverse political currents and tied the concept of justice directly to humanity, and is greatly relevant to contemporary struggles”.
Also, Dr. Khodr Nabha, professor of philosophy and theology, offered a poetic reflection, likening humanity to a mirror that sometimes shatters under the weight of its own thoughts.
He posed profound questions about whether modern audiences would fully grasp the words of Jesus or Imam Reza if spoken today.
Nabha connected the martyrdom of Imam Reza and the crucifixion of Jesus to humanity’s failure to recognize divine guidance, describing them as “broken mirrors by human hands.”
The session, attended by Iranian cultural attaché Mohammadreza Mortazavi and scholars of Abrahamic faiths, was hosted at the Harat Hreik Municipal Development Center near St. Joseph Church. It was broadcast live on the official website of the World Congress on Imam Reza (gcir.razavi.ir).