The Mashhad conference emphasizes the role of cultural diplomacy in promoting the Islamic heritage worldwide

Mashhad- The second special conference on the importance of cultural diplomacy, especially in the areas of pilgrim and Ahl al-Bayt culture, took place on Friday morning on Friday morning on the sidelines of the 21st Imam Reza (as) in the International Festival in Mashhad.

The conference was successfully held with the participation of the most important officials and experts, including representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iranian Islamic Cultural and Relationship Organization (ICRO).

Based on last year, this event aimed to promote synergy among the initiatives in order to increase the global presence of the culture of Ahl al-Bayt and Razavi.

The conference contained 13 speeches that underlined the importance of expanding Iranian soft power through cultural diplomacy. An outstanding topic was the strategic role of Razavi's diplomatic sphere, in which the global mission of promoting Islamic civilization and the teachings of Imam Reza (AS) emphasized.

From Lebanon, Sheikh Jafar al-Mohajer, a respected scholar, author and researcher and founder of the Baalbek Center for Bahauddin, shared a comprehensive report on the recent scientific efforts.

“Our center has published 52 titles that provide a new, historically precise story about Shiite Islam and counteract exaggerated and distant reports. We want to highlight the efforts and victims of the Ahl al-Bayt.

“In the middle of the continuing difficulties and destruction in Lebanon, we are looking for international support to maintain our activities, since the Hisbollah is still our primary supporter and closes our center without external help,” he said.

Sheikh Zaid Alsalami from Australia, a member of the Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly, was in turn to keep their Islamic identity in cultural assimilation on the challenges of Muslim communities in the West, especially in Australia, in which the second and third generation migrants.

“Many young Muslims in western countries are not aware of the importance of Imam Reza (as) pilgrimage and cultural heritage,” he said.

“Despite numerous Islamic centers, the westernization and cultural invasion make it difficult to maintain our identity. I actively encourage young people to attend holy sites and to promote awareness through social media and translations into English,” he said.

The quality of the translations and the distribution of more information are of crucial importance, especially since the reading habits have decreased and communication dominates communication, he added.

In his comments, Hamidreza Arbab Soleimani, deputy minister of culture and Islamic leadership, emphasized Imam Reza's wisdom and explained: “Meeting with members promotes growth and vitality, even if long intervals separate these encounters.”

“This conference serves as a valuable opportunity to develop cultural diplomacy and reminds us that our cultural mission goes beyond national borders. Islam as a universal religion stipulates that our message of all humanity benefits,” he added.

“Today, many people around the world are not familiar with the Koran and Ahl al-Bayt. If Mashhad can meet his mission exactly and can effectively communicate this message, it will serve humanity and help to expand Islamic civilization worldwide. Such meetings play an important role in this endeavor.”

Hassan-Ali Akhlaghi, a member of the Iranian Parliament, emphasized the spiritual meaning of the Ahl al-Bayt.

Today the Islamic Republic of the Iranian Republic is a powerful commitment on the international stage and embodies the resistance axis.

With the presence of Imam Reza (AS), Mashhad has become a center of social and spiritual vitality, which is able to unite the Islamic world, he said.

“We should transform Mashhad into the country's first free scientific zone and use its universities and research centers. Such academic and scientific development will strengthen resistance to arrogance and imperialism.”

Hossein Yekota, a well-known veteran of the Iran-Iraq war and the public personality, also underlined the centrality of martyrdom and the victim in the continuing struggle between good and evil. “The international language is not just English, but the language of the victim and martyrdom,” he said.

“In order to communicate effectively with the new generation, we have to adapt our methods and involve artificial intelligence and innovative storytelling in order to counteract enemy stories and to promote our cause worldwide.”

Hamidreza Mahdavi Arfa, an expert from Nahj al-Balagha, discussed the nuances of cultural diplomacy and contrasted the Iranian approach with western practices.

“In the West, cultural tools are often used for political purposes, while in Iran itself there is the goal itself,” he said, adding: “Imam Reza's teachings should be recognized, especially by pilgrimage, in order to be recognized as a civilization maker worldwide.”

Hossein Divsalar, an official at ICRO, emphasized that cultural diplomacy serves as a bridge among the nations and deals with a peace -rooted approach for soft power. “The message of the Islamic Republic is civilization, peace and intercultural dialogue,” he noted.

The conference ended with a common consensus about the need for innovative, language-sensitive outreach strategies and the importance of promoting the cultural and spiritual values ​​of Iran on the global stage to promote unity, peace and mutual understanding of the nations.

The International Festival of Imam Reza (AS) takes place annually in various provinces in the country and in several other countries.

This festival includes various fields such as articles, plays, plays or scripts, produced shows, stories, visual arts, books, literary texts, poems, press and digital work as well as radio and television productions.

It aims to promote artistic excellence that is rooted in spiritual and cultural values ​​and inspires artists and audiences alike.

Sab/