Hawzah News Agency - (Mashhad - Iran) - The specialized webinar of Convergence of Religions in Respect of the Sanctities has been held by the Secretariat of the International Conference of Imam Reza (AS) and the Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi.

The webinar, which was held in the presence of Dr. Mohammad Javad Raqavi, a member of the faculty of the Al-Mostafa University of Mashhad and Arash Abaie, a Jewish researcher addressed the topics such as “Respect for sanctities in the life of religious figures and leaders,” “The role of sanctities in creating an atmosphere of interfaith dialogue” and “Respect for sanctities, the most important factor in convergence, unity and interaction between religions.”

Congratulating the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Raqavi said that Islam has always underscored peace and friendship, and Imam Reza (AS) is known as the Imam of compassion and peace.

Stating that peace has a divine source and is one of the names of God, he noted that the basis of religions, in general, is on peace and friendship and differences are determined by divisive groups.

“Islam has a common view with other religions regarding peace, as stated in verse 208 of Surah Al-Baqarah: O you who have believed, all of you live in peace. Or in verse 61 of Surah Anfal, he says to the Prophet: And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing,” he said.

One of the characteristics of the Prophet (pbuh), as he stated, is his general and all-encompassing mercy towards all the people of the world. “God the Almighty says about the Prophet: And We did not send you except as a mercy to the worlds. Indeed, the Prophet is the manifestation of the most beautiful divine attributes such as mercy, love, compassion, kindness, sympathy and benevolence.”

Also denouncing any insult to the Prophet (pbuh), Arash Abaie, said: “We, the Iranian Jews, do not accept this insult and consider sacrilege against the Prophet a desecration of the freedom of expression. In some of the commandments of the Torah, it is stated that just as you love yourself, love others, and whatever you do not like for yourself, do not like it for others.”

He pointed out that respect for other religions is the basis of Judaism, saying, “As the purpose of God the Almighty is to help human beings, respect, peace and friendship with other religions and helping others are also the teachings of Judaism.”