In line with the partnership with the scientific and religious institutions of Manila, a meeting titled Synergy with Faith-Based Institutions in Creating Peaceful, Loving and Socially Participatory Communities was held at the Philippine Normal University.

 

According to the public relations report of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, in this meeting, which was attended by 300 students in the HRD meeting hall of the university and 150 people through the Zoom virtual platform, the speakers presented their topics to the students.

 

Abdolmajid Abolghasemi, the Cultural Concealer of our country, while present at the National Library of the Philippines to hold a virtual meeting with the National Library of our country to sign a memorandum of understanding on library cooperation between the two countries, emphasized in a video message the importance of the gathering of religious institutions to create peaceful and loving societies. He stated: The progress of humanity in the fields of science and technology has brought unimaginable material achievements that can facilitate life for humans. However, instead of bringing comfort and well-being for all of humanity, today we witness unimaginable inequality and suffering of people by powerful governments that are materially advanced. Abolghasemi added: The one-dimensional approach that exclusively focuses on the physical and material aspect of human leads to the insatiable pursuit of material achievements at the cost of moral value and the inevitable injustices that we are witnessing today. He continued: Given the reality we are facing, it is not an exaggeration to say that these are the only religious institutions expected to take tangible practical actions and reverse this situation because religion, as a sacred system of beliefs and practices, has the power to influence the mindset and actions of individuals and societies.

 

The Cultural Concealer of our country emphasized that our constitution is based on the teachings of the Holy Quran. Therefore, as a government policy, we give utmost respect to different religions and accept the importance of interfaith dialogue, which refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions or spiritual or humanitarian beliefs in both countries.

 

He referred to the words of Hojjat-al-Islam Mohammad Mahdi Imanipour, the head of the Organization for Culture and Islamic Communications, who emphasized that "Iran welcomes the concept of dialogue, because dialogue is an ancient tradition in human cultural history." Wherever the dialogue takes place, humanity is less exposed to the harm caused by war, violence and destruction. It is with constructive dialogue, understanding and positive cooperation of the followers of religions that the divine promise of establishing a just world can be realized.

 

 

In the continuation of this meeting, speakers from different religious groups including Senior Pastor Ronald Aquino from the Church of the Divine Shepherd Manila, Sister Marilyn Mambusao from the Franciscan Sisters of the Oblate Hospital. Reverend Ricky from the Manila Victory Church and Ms. Zainab Javier from the Filipino-Iranian Women's Friendship Association gave speeches.