According to Atabe News, the session was organized by the Department of Religious Inquiry Services of Astan Quds Razavi, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Headquarters for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil. It aimed to explain new dimensions of the ideal Islamic family model and examine the components of a chaste way of life within the framework of the emerging discourse on Islamic civilization. The gathering was held this morning, Wednesday, November 11, 2026, near the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), with the participation of researchers, distinguished scholars, and cultural activists.

At the session, Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslimin Hossein Shariati-Nejad, Deputy for Publicity of Astan Quds Razavi; Hossein Akbari and Mohsen Noghani, professors and faculty members of the Department of Sociology at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad; and Zeynab Barkhordari, faculty member and professor at the University of Tehran, presented their views and engaged in discussions and exchanges of opinions on the social, psychological, and jurisprudential dimensions of the subject.

At the beginning of the session, Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslimin Shariati-Nejad stated: “A chaste way of life is not merely an ethical necessity; it is the fundamental foundation of Islamic civilization. Therefore, without such a way of life, the continuity of the Islamic lifestyle and the formation of an authentic Islamic civilization would not be possible.”

Referring to existing challenges concerning hijab and changes in various layers of social beliefs and behaviors, he said that Astan Quds Razavi, in addition to its pilgrimage-related responsibilities, plays an important role in addressing these issues.

The Deputy for Publicity of Astan Quds Razavi continued: “This session has been designed to examine the issue from various perspectives, including sociology, psychology, culture, and religious sciences, so that we can propose practical solutions for addressing social problems based on scientific and religious viewpoints.”

He added: “Through this specialized program, we intend to identify the underlying causes of changes in social beliefs and practices with precision and develop an actionable roadmap to strengthen the foundations of chastity across different layers of society, enabling effective and decisive responses to cultural challenges.”

The Need to Move Beyond Traditional Measures Toward Targeted and Urgent Programs to Promote Chastity and Modesty

In the following discussion, Zeynab Barkhordari, a professor at the University of Tehran, emphasized the need for cultural institutions and responsible organizations to change their approach in addressing emerging challenges. She said: “The purpose of this exchange of views is to gain a clear picture of the current state of a chaste way of life and, beyond that, to develop practical solutions and concrete steps for implementation. Given the presence of officials at this meeting, it is expected that the discussions will move beyond theoretical debates toward tangible action.”

Referring to the key role of cultural organizations in this regard, Barkhordari noted: “Under the current sensitive circumstances, cultural institutions should not limit themselves to their previous responsibilities. Rather, their urgent involvement in promoting chastity is a necessity, and officials must not adopt a passive stance toward the social consequences of the existing situation.”

The university professor further pointed to the unique capacity of Astan Quds Razavi to communicate with different segments of society, adding: “The celestial shrine of Imam Reza (AS), as the country's largest center with a broad and diverse audience, can play a pivotal role in addressing current crises by designing dedicated programs for each group of audiences and pilgrims.”

She emphasized: “Great opportunities lie within threats, and making use of them requires careful planning, strong focus, and a shift away from general approaches toward specialized programs tailored to the needs and characteristics of specific audiences.”

Explaining Civilizational Challenges: The Clash of Lifestyles as the Main Front of Cultural Conflict in the Contemporary Era

In the next part of the session, Mohsen Noghani, a faculty member of the Department of Sociology at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, analyzed the dimensions of cultural conflict in today's world. He described the clash of lifestyles as the most significant civilizational challenge and the central element in encounters between cultures in the media age, emphasizing the decisive role of media in managing this confrontation.

Examining the nature of civilizations, he noted: “Civilizations do not encounter one another through traditional wars; rather, their interactions take place through unconscious cultural currents and the clash of lifestyles.”

Noghani described the intelligent management of these confrontations as one of the main responsibilities of cultural and media institutions, saying: “The principal challenge facing contemporary societies is dealing with cultural waves that seek to change patterns of life and behavior through the media and virtual space.”

The university professor stressed the importance of providing a precise definition of the “Islamic lifestyle,” adding: “Cultural confrontations should not be confined solely to gender-related dimensions, such as the issue of hijab. Rather, they must be reconsidered at the level of a ‘cultural and civilizational movement.’”