Hawzah News Agency- The "Rahmatan lil-Alamin" (Mercy to the Worlds) conference was organized by the Shia Federation of Jammu and Kashmir in the city of Punch, drawing a large gathering of scholars, religious figures, intellectuals, social personalities, citizens, youth, and university students.
The event aimed to elucidate the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and promote his universal message of mercy, peace, love, brotherhood, tolerance, and mutual respect.
Scholars Bear Responsibility for Promoting Peace, Unity, and Social Solidarity
A special message from Hojatoleslam Abdol-Majid Hakimollahi, the Representative of the Supreme Leader in India, was delivered at the ceremony by Hojatoleslam Seyyed Keramat Hossein Jafari.
The full text of the message is as follows:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings upon our Master and Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa, his pure and immaculate household, and his chosen companions.
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
The holding of this magnificent conference of Islamic unity in the city of Punch is a source of joy and heartfelt satisfaction for me. The presence of Shia and Sunni scholars, intellectuals, and social and cultural figures, alongside representatives of Hindu and Sikh communities, conveys a beautiful message of unity, mutual respect, love, and peaceful coexistence. I sincerely thank the organizers of this valuable gathering, particularly the Shia Federation of Jammu.
Although I was invited to attend this conference, due to certain necessary engagements, I was unable to be present. Therefore, I am sending this message through Hojatoleslam Seyyed Keramat Hossein Jafari to express my devotion and heartfelt solidarity. I hope my greetings and goodwill may be conveyed to all respected participants of this conference.
Jammu and Kashmir has long been a shared homeland for followers of various religions, sects, and cultures. The cultural history of this region contains shining examples of interaction, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. Today, strengthening this valuable heritage and passing it on to future generations is a shared responsibility upon everyone.
Islamic unity does not mean eliminating religious and doctrinal differences; rather, it means mutual respect despite differences of opinion, cooperation on common ground, and avoidance of division and hostility. The Holy Quran clearly states: "And hold fast to the rope of God, all together, and do not become divided."
Today, the responsibility of scholars, religious leaders, and social figures has become more important than ever. They must guide society, especially the younger generation, toward love, peace, morality, justice, tolerance, and mutual respect. Differences should not lead to distance and hostility among us; rather, they should provide a basis for cooperation and interaction based on shared values.
Among followers of different religions, there are many shared values such as peace, honesty, justice, service to humanity, and respect for others. If we can cooperate on the basis of these shared values, we can take effective steps in strengthening security, social stability, and mutual trust in society.
India, due to its civilizational background and extensive religious and cultural diversity, has a high capacity to become a model in the field of peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue. I hope Jammu and Kashmir can also play an effective and constructive role in strengthening unity, brotherhood, and interfaith dialogue.
Once again, I sincerely congratulate and thank the respected organizers of this conference, particularly the Shia Federation of Jammu and Kashmir, and on behalf of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Imam Khamenei — may his shadow endure — I extend my greetings and goodwill to all scholars, religious leaders, social and cultural figures, and respected participants of this conference.
I hope this conference will not be limited to a single gathering, but will serve as a starting point for continuous and effective efforts toward Islamic unity, empathy, interfaith dialogue, peace, brotherhood, and mutual cooperation.
I beseech God Almighty to strengthen unity and brotherhood among Muslims, expand love, respect, and cooperation among followers of different religions, and grant the country of India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, the blessings of security, tranquility, brotherhood, and progress.
Prophetic Conduct: A Model for Peace and Coexistence
At the ceremony, the conduct of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was highlighted as a comprehensive model for individual and social life, with emphasis on the role of prophetic teachings in strengthening empathy, unity, and peaceful coexistence among different segments of society.
The noble verse "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds" was cited as one of the central themes of the conference — a verse emphasizing the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) station as the bearer of mercy for all humanity.
Emphasis on the Universal Message of Mercy and Humanism
A prominent feature of the conference was its inclusive outlook, transcending religious and sectarian boundaries. Organizers sought to transform the event into a platform for promoting shared human values such as peace, love, empathy, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
Hojatoleslam Seyyed Keramat Hossein Jafari, a Kashmiri cleric, remarked in his address that contemporary human society faces challenges such as war, hatred, violence, intolerance, and injustice, and under such circumstances, revisiting and promoting the universal message of mercy in the Prophet's (PBUH) conduct is more necessary than ever.
He added that the conduct of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) is not merely a historical subject, but a collection of practical teachings on peace, justice, human dignity, brotherhood, tolerance, and respect for others, and these teachings must be observed and applied in various spheres of individual and social life.
Emphasis on Supporting the Younger Generation and Scientific Progress
The Kashmiri cleric also described supporting the younger generation and providing opportunities for their scientific and educational growth as a shared responsibility, saying that attention to the talents and scientific achievements of young people and appreciation of their accomplishments can play an effective role in boosting their motivation and strengthening their spirit to continue their scientific path and achieve greater success.
He emphasized the necessity of serious attention to education, scientific and cultural activities, and providing suitable opportunities for the effective participation of young people in various social arenas.
Necessity of Continuing Cultural and Social Activities
Hojatoleslam Keramat Jafari further noted that the message of this conference should not be limited to an occasional program, but must become a culture and social behavior in society, paving the way for the spread of peace, love, unity, tolerance, education, and service to humanity.
He also stressed the need to strengthen scientific, cultural, and social activities and called for the continuation of programs that can provide a basis for dialogue, convergence, and cooperation among different segments of society.
The conference was held in the city of Punch to promote the moral and human teachings of the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) conduct and strengthen the culture of coexistence, empathy, and social cooperation.
Unveiling of the Book "The Martyr Leader and Islamic Unity"
Later in the ceremony, the book "The Martyr Leader and Islamic Unity," authored by Hojatoleslam Seyyed Keramat Hossein Shour Jafari, was unveiled.
In the introduction of the work, speakers examined the intellectual, scientific, and social dimensions of the book, citing topics such as Islamic unity, ummah solidarity, strengthening relations among Muslims, raising intellectual awareness, and examining the issues and challenges facing Islamic societies in the contemporary era as its main themes.
According to the discussions at the ceremony, the author has sought to examine the issue of Islamic unity not merely as a slogan, but as an intellectual, social, and practical necessity. Topics including the question of Palestine and Quds, the necessity of unity and solidarity of the Islamic ummah, and the challenges facing Muslim societies in the contemporary world were also addressed from various angles.
Emphasis on the Continuation of Scientific and Cultural Activities
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the scholars, intellectuals, and religious and social figures present considered the holding of such programs effective in strengthening religious and social awareness, promoting the culture of unity, and supporting the talents and capacities of the younger generation.
The speakers also emphasized the necessity of continuing scientific, cultural, social, and educational activities in the city of Punch and called for the implementation of programs that, drawing on the teachings of the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) conduct, can provide a basis for strengthening peace and peaceful coexistence, expanding brotherhood and unity, and elevating the scientific and social level of society.
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