Hawzah News Agency- During a meeting with the president of Baqir al-Olum University in the holy city of Qom, Dr. Abdi-Pour presented a detailed report on a decade of scholarly and research activities carried out by the congress’ international secretariat. He emphasized the historical, intellectual, and civilizational significance of Mulla Abdullah Behabadi Yazdi, portraying him as a key architect in the stabilization of Shia political authority during the Safavid period.
A Scholar at the Intersection of Knowledge and Governance
According to Abdi-Pour, Ayatollah Behabadi Yazdi was not merely a jurist or theologian confined to scholarly circles. Rather, he embodied a model of engaged religious leadership that bridged scholarship and governance. His influential presence in Najaf, then and now a central hub of Shia learning, contributed to shaping a distinctive paradigm of Iranian Shia intellectual authority interacting with state structures.
The Safavid era, which marked the formal establishment of Twelver Shi‘ism as the state doctrine in Iran, remains a decisive chapter in the country’s historical trajectory. Abdi-Pour argued that revisiting this period through rigorous documentation and critical scholarship is essential to understanding the evolving relationship between religion, political authority, and society in Iranian and Shia history.
Reassessing the Safavid Intellectual Legacy
He described the documentation and analytical reconstruction of the Safavid era as a scientific and civilizational necessity. By examining the works and thought of scholars such as Behabadi Yazdi, researchers can gain deeper insight into how theological discourse influenced governance, law, and public life.
The congress secretariat has proposed an academic approach centered on the theme of “History and Context,” aiming to situate Behabadi Yazdi within the socio-political dynamics of his time rather than treating him as an isolated historical figure.
In this regard, Abdi-Pour called for active collaboration between Iranian and Iraqi academic institutions, including University of Kufa, to organize an international pre-conference. The initiative is expected to bring together historians and researchers from both countries to examine cross-regional scholarly networks during the Safavid period.
Institutional Support and Academic Expansion
Hojatoleslam Seyyed Ehsan Rafiei Alavi, President of Baqir al-Olum University, expressed full institutional readiness to host and academically support the pre-conference. He also underscored the importance of enhancing both the scientific rigor and organizational standards of the event.
Plans are underway to secure accreditation from the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC), ensuring the conference meets recognized academic benchmarks. Under the proposed scientific management of Dr. Alviri, organizers aim to mobilize the research capacities of universities and scholarly centers nationwide.
Broader Cultural and Multimedia Initiatives
Beyond the academic sessions, the congress framework includes a series of complementary initiatives. These encompass the organization of a specialized exhibition dedicated to the intellectual heritage and manuscripts of Behabadi Yazdi, the publication of a special journal issue introducing his thought and contributions, and the production of scholarly and cultural multimedia content to broaden public engagement.
Administrative planning will also address logistical arrangements for international participants, including travel, accommodation, and institutional coordination.
Dr. Seyyed Hadi Sajedi, Director of International Affairs at Baqir al-Olum University, has been appointed to lead the congress planning task force.
Reviving a Civilizational Discourse
Organizers contend that revisiting figures such as Behabadi Yazdi is not merely an exercise in historical commemoration. Rather, it represents an effort to reconstruct a civilizational discourse in which scholarship, ethical governance, and social responsibility are viewed as interconnected pillars.
By systematically reassessing the Safavid intellectual heritage, proponents argue, contemporary scholars may draw lessons relevant to ongoing debates about the interaction between religious authority, state power, and societal development in the modern era.
The forthcoming pre-conference is thus being framed not only as an academic milestone, but as part of a broader endeavor to illuminate the enduring role of Shia scholarship in shaping Iran’s historical and cultural trajectory.
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