“Martyr Leader's Thought on Unity” to be main theme of 40th International Islamic Unity Conference
The Secretary General of World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought has outlined the Forum's activities and programs during a meeting with members of the Cultural Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) and elaborated on the concept of a "Union of Islamic Countries."
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At the outset of his remarks, Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari referred to a collection of scholarly works produced by the Forum's research institute, stating that a book on Islamic unity and the concept of a unified Muslim Ummah had been completed by the institute by 2021.
He added that, in light of the martyrdom of prominent figures of the Resistance Front, it has now been decided to compile and incorporate the ideas and perspectives advanced over the past four years regarding the unity of the Islamic Ummah and the Union of Islamic Countries into a revised edition of the publication.
In another part of his address, Dr. Shahriari reviewed the activities of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, noting that the organization maintains extensive ties with religious scholars, intellectuals, and thinkers across the Arab world and the broader Muslim world. In addition to organizing the International Islamic Unity Conference, the Forum also hosts numerous regional conferences.
He added that one of the Forum's key initiatives over the past six years has been the organization of regional conferences in various provinces across Iran. Given the limited number of scholars who can be invited to international conferences, the idea was proposed to hold regional gatherings at the provincial level. As an example, he noted that the most recent conference in Golestan Province attracted approximately 700 participants, the majority of whom came from different regions of the country, while a number of foreign scholars also attended.
The Secretary-General further stated that this model has been implemented in several Muslim countries as well. As an example, he referred to a conference organized in Malaysia in January of last year. He noted that Malaysia had, at certain periods, witnessed strict approaches by some religious groups toward Shia Muslims, with excommunication (takfiri) fatwas even being issued in some states. However, he said that conditions have since improved as a result of sustained efforts and engagement.
Referring to the outcomes of his visit to Malaysia, Dr. Shahriari stated that he established relations with Azmi Abdul Hamid, the President of major Islamic NGO, Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organization (MAPIM), and an adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
According to Shahriari, Abdul Hamid works with more than 200 non-governmental organizations, and his support facilitated the establishment of extensive networks and contacts. He also noted that the delegation succeeded in meeting with the Speaker of the Malaysian Parliament, whose remarks in support of the Resistance Front and Islamic causes, he said, were so emphatic that "it was as though one of the commanders of the Resistance Front was speaking."
Highlighting the upcoming 40th International Islamic Unity Conference, scheduled to be held in September, Dr. Shahriari said the event carries special significance, as it will be the first major gathering of the Muslim world following the martyrdom of prominent leaders of the Resistance Front.
He stated that the central theme of this year's conference will be an examination of the ideas, perspectives, and approaches of the "Martyr Imam" regarding Islamic unity. While issues such as the rapprochement of Islamic schools of thought, Islamic unity, war, and peace have consistently been among the conference's core themes, he noted that this year's edition will place particular emphasis on the legacy and thought of this prominent figure.
Dr. Shahriari also announced two new initiatives for the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference.
The first initiative, he said, is "Decentralized Proximity." Under this plan, foreign guests attending the conference will not be limited to participation in Tehran. Instead, they will be dispatched to various provinces across the country, where they will spend several days engaging with local capacities, intellectuals, religious scholars, and cultural activists before returning to Tehran for the main conference proceedings.
He explained that the initiative has been designed to expand direct interaction between prominent figures from across the Muslim world and the cultural and social capacities of Iran's provinces, and that it will be implemented for the first time this year.
The second initiative is titled "Proximity of Influential Figures." According to the Secretary-General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, the program will invite not only grand muftis, leading scholars, and ministers of religious affairs from Islamic countries, but also influential social media personalities and public figures with millions of followers across different countries.
These individuals, who have adopted supportive and constructive positions regarding the Gaza war and recent regional developments, are expected to amplify and disseminate the message of Islamic unity on a global scale.
In the concluding part of his remarks, Dr. Shahriari analyzed the current state of the Muslim world, stating that the major pillars of the Islamic world—including the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, and Egypt's Al-Azhar—each possess their own distinct approaches, capacities, and strategic projects, and are engaged in varying degrees of interaction and competition with one another.
By contrast, he said, global hegemonic powers are pursuing four principal agendas: Islamophobia, Iranophobia, Shiaphobia, and Resistance-phobia. He emphasized that identifying the opportunities and challenges arising from these dynamics and developing appropriate strategies for engagement with the various centers of influence in the Muslim world constitute some of the most important missions of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, as well as other cultural and religious institutions in the country.
Ghorban Ali Pourmarjan, Deputy for Communications at the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, also presented a report on the Forum's key activities and programs in the fields of international relations and Islamic rapprochement during the meeting between members of the Cultural Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Forum's leadership.
Referring to the establishment of specialized working groups focusing on areas such as the Resistance Front, Saudi Arabia, descendants of the Prophet (Sadat), and regional affairs, he highlighted the successful organization of the Malaysia Regional Conference, which was attended by prominent political and religious figures from the country.
He added that regional conferences are also planned for North Khorasan Province and Sistan and Baluchistan Province.
Pourmarjan further outlined the Forum's recent efforts to activate and expand its global network of Islamic scholars. He noted that by utilizing the capacities of the Forum's 509 General Assembly members across various countries, extensive communication channels were established with religious scholars and intellectuals throughout the Muslim world. These efforts resulted in the collection of more than 700 statements issued by scholars from 43 countries condemning the actions of the Israeli regime and expressing support for the Resistance.
He added that during this period, 13 international webinars were organized, featuring the participation of 95 religious and cultural figures from 18 countries, while more than 70 analytical articles addressing regional developments and issues related to the Resistance Front were published.
Concluding his remarks, Pourmarjan emphasized that the Forum has sought to utilize its media, academic, and communication capacities to play an effective role in strengthening Islamic unity, explaining regional developments, and expanding engagement with scholars throughout the Muslim world.
During the meeting, members of the Cultural Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly also presented their views and recommendations regarding the activities of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.
Hujjat-ul-Islam Agha Tehrani, Chairman of the Cultural Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, visited the headquarters of the Forum and met with its senior officials, receiving a firsthand briefing on its activities and strategic programs.
During the visit, he emphasized the importance of unity diplomacy under the current circumstances facing the Muslim world. He described the Forum's efforts as positive and constructive in advancing the goals of Islamic rapprochement and strengthening cohesion among the Muslim Ummah, and underscored the need for parliamentary support to further enhance the foundations of dialogue and unity-building.
Hassan-Ali Akhlaqi Amiri, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, pointed to the capacities of the city of Mashhad to host major international Islamic events and announced the city's readiness to host the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference.
He stated that Mashhad possesses suitable airport infrastructure, accommodation facilities, security arrangements, and logistical support capabilities for hosting such events. He also stressed the importance of engaging poets, writers, novelists, and cultural organizations from across the Muslim world in programs aimed at promoting Islamic rapprochement.
Ahmad Rastineh, another member of the Cultural Commission, expressed appreciation for the activities of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought and stated that the impact and repercussions of the martyrdom of Resistance leaders throughout the Muslim world had not been commensurate with the magnitude of the event. He added that broader political, cultural, and media mobilization had been expected in response.
Referring to his travels to several Muslim countries, Rastineh described the existing opportunities for expanding cultural and religious cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran as significant. He emphasized the need for stronger coordination among the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, Iran's cultural missions abroad, and other institutions active in the international arena.
Amir-Hossein Bankipour, another member of parliament, emphasized the need to broaden the scope of Islamic rapprochement activities and proposed extending such efforts beyond religious scholars and clerics to include professional associations, as well as cultural and artistic movements across the Muslim world.
He stated that establishing a network of Muslim artists and strengthening cooperation among them could contribute to the realization of the Forum's objectives. Bankipour also identified mysticism, prayer, and shared spiritual concepts as important foundations for enhancing convergence among Islamic schools of thought and called for greater attention to these areas.
Hamid Rasaei, a member of the Cultural Commission, stressed the importance of monitoring, reviewing, and critically assessing books and publications that promote division and undermine Islamic unity, describing this as a key area of cultural activity within the field of Islamic rapprochement.
