Hawzah News Agency- The custodian of Iran’s sacred Jamkaran Mosque has emphasized the critical role of interfaith dialogue in advancing human morality and fostering global peace. Speaking at the interfaith conference “The Savior: Manifestation of Peace and Spirituality,” Hojatoleslam Seyyed Ali Akbar Ojaqnejad highlighted the need for continued cooperation among followers of divine religions to build a more just and ethical world.
“On the occasion of the birth of the Promised Savior, we must reaffirm our commitment to dialogue, exchange of ideas, and shared learning between religious communities,” he said. “Such engagement is essential for the moral development of humanity and the realization of peace across nations.”
Historic Gathering of Religious Leaders
The conference, held at the Jamkaran Mosque complex in Qom, brought together senior representatives of diverse faiths, including Bishop Vanya of the Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church, Mamousta Iqbal Bahmani, representative of Kurdistan in the Assembly of Experts, Krikor Chiftchian, Armenian Catholicos of Azerbaijan, Rabbi Younes Hammami Lalezar of Iran’s Jewish community, and Dr. Beheshti, Zoroastrian representative in the Iranian parliament.
Hojatoleslam Ojaqnejad noted that this is the first time such a comprehensive interfaith meeting has been hosted at Jamkaran, underlining its significance as a platform for exchange of experiences, ideas, and ethical guidance among faith communities.
Shared Ethical Foundations Across Religions
The custodian highlighted that Muslims, according to the teachings of the Holy Quran, recognize all divine prophets as part of a continuous spiritual mission. “Respect for the prophets is central to our faith, and interfaith dialogue allows us to honor these shared values while promoting understanding among communities,” he said.
Ojaqnejad further stressed that the common message of all religions, beyond the belief in one God, is the call to universal peace. “The world today needs moral reinforcement more than ever. Efforts to reduce violence and injustice are essential to ensuring the survival and dignity of humanity,” he said.
Citing a Western historian, he added: “As technology and industry advance, if ethics are weakened, humanity faces increasingly severe crises. Moral development must accompany material progress.”
Religious Leaders as Agents of Peace and Justice
The Jamkaran custodian called on religious scholars and leaders to actively facilitate such dialogues, stating: “We have a duty to serve humanity, to create opportunities for cooperation, and to lay the groundwork for justice and peace worldwide.”
He concluded with a prayer for guidance for all people and expressed hope for a future where the Earth is free from oppression and cruelty. He also emphasized the importance of sustaining these interfaith engagements to continue serving the global community.
“By fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared ethical values, we can build a foundation for a more peaceful and compassionate world,” Ojaqnejad said.
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