University of Religions and Denominations

Throughout human history, religions have been messengers of peace and heralds of doing away with violence and discrimination. Therefore, there have always been efforts toward coexistence among the followers of different religions in the direction of comprehensive peace and global synergy. This issue is one of the important goals of the University of Religions and Denominations, which was established in the city of Qom nearly three decades ago.

The History and Structure of the University of Religions and Denominations

In 1994, a number of scholars from the seminary of Qom gathered to improve their knowledge about world religions and denominations. This group studied and researched in three fields: Abrahamic religions (Christianity and Judaism), Eastern religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, and religions of the Far East and ancient Iran), and Islamic denominations (theological schools of thought). In a period of four years, in addition to research in these three subjects, this group also engaged in learning English, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Hebrew languages. The initial core of the University of Religions and Denominations was formed through the activities of this group.

These research activities continued in the same initial format until 2004 and in this year certain courses were designed for the creation of three academic fields, which received the official approval of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (Ministry of Higher Education) of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this way, the “Center of Higher Education and Research on Religions and Denominations” was formed and began to admit students at the postgraduate level. In the following years, the activities of this center expanded and the number of these fields was increased to six. Finally, this center of higher education acquired the status of a university in 2008 and the “University of Religions and Denominations” was officially established.

Faculties

Following its official astonishment new faculties were founded and presently this university has the following faculties:

• Faculty of Religions
• Faculty of History
• Faculty of Islamic Denominations
• Faculty of Islamic Nations Studies
• Faculty of Languages and Cultures of Nations
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Mysticism
• Faculty of Philosophy
• Faculty of Quranic Studies
• Faculty of Religion and Art
• Faculty of Shi’i Studies
• Faculty of Social Sciences, Media and Communication
• Faculty of Women and Family

Presently, the number of courses taught in this university stands at 82 at three levels of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate, and its trainings are offered in person and online. The online training center of this university was established in 2012 and in recent years, it has been continuously strengthening its infrastructure.

Research Institutes and Research Publications of the University of Religions and Denominations

The Research Institute of Religions and Denominations was established in 2011 and conducts research in the fields of Islamic denominations, Shia studies, and religions in three research groups. During its lifetime, this research institute has managed to publish many books and articles. Organizing dozens of meetings with the presence of prominent professors and scholars of different religions is one of the other activities of this research institute. The other research of this university is the “Women and Family Research Institute”.

The Center of Religions and Human Rights Studies of this university was founded with the aim of preparing and publishing research works in the field of religion and law. By signing a memorandum of understanding with Khorasan Seminary, a subsidiary unit of the University of Religions and Denominations has been functioning in Mashhad since 2018.

The only research journal in the field of religions, in the English language, titled “Religious Inquiries, is published at this university. The university has other publications, which are in Persian language, including the “Haft Aseman” magazine, which is considered the first specialized magazine of Iran on religions and denominations.

International Activities of the University of Religions and Denominations

The activities of the University of Religions and Denominations are based on dialogue among religions and denominations. Therefore, this university is very active in the field of international interactions. During the course of its activities, more than 500 foreign delegations have visited this university, and several memorandums of understanding and cooperation have been signed with scientific and cultural centers of different countries.

The Center of Open Education of the University of Religions and Denominations, which has defined international activities as part of its mission, organizes various courses for non-Iranians.