The Holy Quran offers “infinite capacity” for engaging in interfaith dialogue, says the head of the Department of Relations and International Affairs of Iranian Seminaries.
Hojat-ol-Islam
Seyyed Mofid Hosseini Kouhsari made the remarks on the sidelines of his visit
to the 31st International Holy Quran Fair.
The Holy Quran and Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) serve as the unifying axis for the entire Islamic world, he
said. “We can engage in dialogue with all Islamic Madhhabs, including our Sunni
brothers, through the Quran.”
“However, I believe
we can go beyond this and create meaningful and successful religious dialogue
centered around the Quran. We share many commonalities with Christians and
followers of other divine religions,” he said.
Many of the ethical
concepts mentioned in the Holy Quran can serve as common grounds for interfaith
interaction and dialogue, he said. “We may have more than 200 common topics for
religious dialogues.”
The Quran has an
infinite capacity for dialogue with other religions, he stressed.
“In our dialogues
with Eastern religions, many of the issues raised in the Quran are also of
interest to them,” the cleric said.
“We hope that one
day the Quran exhibition will become more international, in the true sense of
the word, transforming into a global exhibition where dialogues centered on the
Quran can take place,” Hosseini added.
The 31st
International Holy Quran Fair commenced at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla on
March 20, with the motto of “I Read You.” This spiritual and cultural event
invites visitors on a journey of exploration.
Running until April
2, the exhibition welcomes enthusiasts daily from 5:00 PM to 00:30 AM local
time. Notably, the fair fosters a family-friendly atmosphere, providing a warm
and inclusive space for all age groups.
Iftar tables have
been arranged, allowing visitors to break their fast together in a communal
setting. Beyond its local appeal, the fair draws attention to global issues,
emphasizing the role of the Quran in inspiring resistance, particularly
concerning Gaza and Palestine.
Through artistic,
cultural, and theatrical mediums, the fair aims to familiarize attendees with
Quranic concepts. Special sections cover topics such as artificial
intelligence, Nahj al-Balaghah, Quranic research and consultation, Quran
translation, and easy Quran memorization.