Hawzah News Agency- the second International Religious Leaders Summit convened in St. Petersburg, bringing together religious leaders, scholars, and figures from Iran, Russia, and various other countries. Preserving Islamic and religious values, human dignity and justice, interfaith unity, the global moral crisis, and pressing international issues — including the ongoing crimes of the Israeli regime in Palestine and Gaza — were among the key topics addressed at the gathering.
During the summit, Dr. Kazem Jalali, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia, and Hojatoleslam Hamid Shahriari, Secretary-General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, delivered speeches outlining the Islamic Republic's views on major global issues.
Shahriari: Human Dignity and Justice Are Core Values of the Islamic System
In his address, Hojatoleslam Hamid Shahriari pointed to the current global crises and stressed the need to focus on two fundamental Islamic values: dignity and justice.
"Dignity is a human value granted by God Almighty to all human beings, not confined to any particular religion, sect, or creed," he said. "God says in the Holy Quran: 'We have honored the children of Adam.'"
Shahriari defined justice as respecting the rights of others, stating that justice ranks among the highest and most universally accepted social values, while oppression means trampling the rights of others through aggression and hostility.
Respecting Fundamental Human Rights Is a Universal Duty
The Secretary-General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought emphasized that every human being possesses inherent rights such as the right to life, access to food and water, the right to live in one's homeland, and freedom — and that upholding these rights is obligatory for all.
"Killing innocent people, besieging them, and depriving them of food, water, shelter, and the right to live in their homeland is not permissible for anyone," he stated. "These are the humanitarian principles emphasized by the Holy Quran, and Muslims are obliged to uphold them regardless of the religion, sect, or views of the other side."
Violation of Palestinian Rights: A Clear Example of the Global Moral Crisis
Shahriari pointed to the broad challenges facing moral values in today's world, saying: "Today, these very fundamental rights are being denied to the Palestinian nation."
He added: "The right to life is the most basic human right, yet the Palestinian people have faced decades of oppression, suppression, forced displacement, and deprivation."
The speaker noted that with US backing, the imperialist system and the usurping Zionist regime occupied part of Palestinian territory, displaced its people from their homeland, destroyed their homes, and looted their property and assets — depriving them of their most basic human rights.
"The forced displacement of Palestinians has continued for generations. Today, millions of Palestinians in Gaza are living under extremely difficult conditions, and thousands of civilians, particularly women and children, have been targeted by the Israeli regime's attacks," he said.
Israeli Crimes in Gaza and Lebanon: Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
The Secretary-General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought described the Israeli regime's actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and other Islamic countries as genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass murder, saying these crimes expose the double standards of the global system that claims to champion human rights.
"If killing innocent people is wrong, it must be wrong everywhere. If displacing people from their land is unjust, it must be unjust everywhere. But unfortunately, the Zionist regime presents the killing of children and women as a 'just war' while labeling the defense of human rights as 'terrorism,'" he said.
Jalali: We Must Stand Against Oppression and Injustice
In his address, Dr. Kazem Jalali, Iran's Ambassador to Russia, referenced the historic significance of St. Petersburg and the city's spirit of resilience, saying: "I represent a land that has resisted American and Israeli aggression — and has emerged victorious in this confrontation."
Pointing to the erosion of religious and traditional values in the modern world, he said: "Today we must ask ourselves whether we are merely paying attention to the outward aspects of religion or whether we have truly grasped its essential message."
The Iranian ambassador continued: "We must ask ourselves whether the killing of tens of thousands of people in Palestine and the murder of women and children in Gaza has awakened the scholars and thinkers. Has the killing of children in Minab and the recent American attacks not made us realize the truth and essence of religion?"
"We all speak of opposing religious extremism, but if scholars remain silent about confronting oppression and satanic powers, does this not create fertile ground for the spread of extremism?" he asked.
Jalali pointed to the goals of Zionism, stating: "Zionism has designs against Muslims, Christians, and even true Jews alike. Using modern and advanced tools, it has targeted religious and human values, morality, and justice."
He added: "America today stands with a pharaonic approach against followers of all divine religions, while the prophets of God have always stood against tyranny. Therefore, we too must stand against oppression and injustice — oppression whose most prominent manifestation today is America."
Russian Religious Leaders Stress Preservation of Religious and Moral Values
Opening the summit, Alexander Beglov, Governor of St. Petersburg, welcomed the guests and expressed satisfaction over the unity and solidarity among followers of different faiths in the city.
"In Russia, various policies, laws, and programs have been developed based on religious and spiritual values to help young people flourish. This summit provides a valuable opportunity to bring religions and denominations closer together and strengthen unity among people," he said.
The Orthodox Bishop of St. Petersburg told the summit: "Moral principles in society are being increasingly ignored. Therefore, strengthening religious and ethical values must be one of our fundamental responsibilities."
He added: "Faith invites human beings to reflection and contemplation, and we bear responsibility before future generations. St. Petersburg has for centuries been an arena of coexistence, unity, and solidarity among followers of different faiths."
Albert Krganov, head of the Muslim Council of Russia, emphasized the necessity of preserving religious and traditional values, saying these values can guide society and culture toward salvation.
Criticizing the materialistic outlook of Western civilization, he said: "Today, not only scholars but all believers in God across the world must unite to achieve victory over extreme materialism."
Krganov added: "A great battle for the preservation of spirituality is underway, and we must resist Western and materialistic influences while safeguarding our religious, human, and spiritual values."
At the international summit, religious leaders also stressed that confronting current global crises and moral challenges is only possible through strengthening religious and human values, justice, dignity, mutual respect, and unity among faiths. They further declared that ending the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine and Gaza and supporting the fundamental rights of the oppressed Palestinian nation is a responsibility for the entire international community.
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