Hawzah News Agency- The city of Skardu in Pakistan's Baltistan region hosted an academic conference titled "New Global Conditions and Our Religious Responsibilities," bringing together scholars, thinkers, and seminary students at the Jamia al-Najaf religious seminary.
Organized by the Imamia Students Organization of Pakistan, the gathering featured prominent Pakistani researcher and preacher Seyyed Ali Murtaza Zaidi, who addressed the dimensions of ongoing global transformations, the ideals of the martyred Resistance Leader, the achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the US-dominated world order, and the social and religious duties of Pakistani Shia Muslims.
Forging a Faithful, Independent Ummah: Core Objective of the Martyred Leader
Zaidi stated that the fundamental aim of the martyred leader's struggle was the formation of a believing, dignified, empowered, self-confident, and independent Ummah capable of standing with honor against the global hegemonic system.
He identified self-belief, deep connection with God, scientific and technological advancement, institution-building, effective utilization of national capacities, and long-term planning as the essential pillars of this vision.
"Achieving such a society requires continuous effort, the training of capable human resources, and the establishment of effective social and cultural structures," Zaidi emphasized.
Iran's Progress: The Fruit of Self-Reliance
Addressing the experience of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the scholar noted that despite decades of sanctions, political pressure, and international isolation, Iran has steadily developed its defensive, scientific, industrial, and national capabilities.
"Iran's resilience and current achievements demonstrate that a nation relying on self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and proper utilization of domestic resources can withstand immense global pressure and continue its path of progress," he said.
Honoring the Martyr Must Translate into Action
Zaidi stressed that commemorating the martyred leader must not be limited to expressions of grief and emotion. "The true requirement of his martyrdom is to continue his path and realize his ideals through concrete action. This demands genuine transformation in self-purification, commitment to prayer and the Holy Quran, deepening religious awareness, strengthening ethics, pursuing knowledge, and embracing social responsibility."
He urged greater attention to the younger generation, saying: "Youth must not waste their talents and capacities. They must utilize their abilities to acquire knowledge, skills, and expertise, and strive toward worthy and impactful achievements."
Investment in Education, Research, and Institution-Building
The Pakistani thinker emphasized the importance of proper utilization of resources, arguing that community wealth should not be squandered on extravagance, waste, and futile displays.
"Resources must be directed toward establishing and strengthening schools, universities, research centers, and sustainable religious and educational institutions. A community that invests in education, research, and the training of future generations can liberate itself from dependency and demonstrate its true capacities across various fields," he stated.
Social Responsibility of Pakistani Shias in the New Global Reality
Turning to the situation of Shia Muslims in Pakistan, Zaidi described the current moment as a historic opportunity that must be properly seized.
He called for moving beyond narrow regional and local perspectives, stating: "Shias in Karachi, Punjab, Baltistan, and other regions of Pakistan must pay greater attention to their shared responsibilities and collective interests, adopting a coherent and forward-looking approach to resolving community issues."
Strengthening Unity: A Necessity for the Future
Zaidi emphasized the need to strengthen intellectual and social bonds with the system of Velayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), saying: "Under current conditions, the Shia community must accurately understand regional and global developments while strengthening internal cohesion and playing a more effective role in social and political transformations."
He identified drawing lessons from the resistance and progress of the Islamic Republic, pursuing the martyred leader's objectives, trusting in one's own capabilities, proper use of resources, institution-building, and reinforcing unity as key strategies for the Shia community in the new global landscape.
From Demands to Self-Improvement and Practical Action
In his concluding remarks, Zaidi asserted that communities must not perpetually blame others for their problems or complain about circumstances.
"Society must first identify and rectify its own weaknesses, then move toward proving and actualizing its true capacities through planning, organization, and sustained long-term effort. A successful future depends on self-trust, training specialized forces, building sustainable institutions, utilizing resources wisely, and forging a coherent collective movement," he concluded.
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