Following, there is an interview with the Deputy for International Affairs of Imam Reza shrine, Hoj Mostafa Faghih Esfandyari, asking him about the scope of activities and services in this office.

Q: To what extent can scientific and cultural ties with other Holy shrines, especially in Iraq, play a role in expanding the influence of Imam Reza’s teachings? What has the Deputy Office done to enhance the level of ties?

A: Imam Reza shrine has long been planning to forge relations with Islamic Holy shrines in scientific, cultural and specialized spheres, such as the recent visit of our colleagues to Imam Ali’s shrine in Najaf, Iraq.

The visit was in response to the invitation by the custodian of Imam Ali’s shrine for the exchange of experience in servants affairs. Also, another team has been sent to Imam Hussain’s shrine in Karbala, Iraq, to exchange experience regarding museum administration. This indicates that ties with other Islamic shrines can greatly enhance the quality pilgrims services.

Razavi University of Islamic Sciences and Imam Reza International University have fruitful ties in humanities with other Islamic universities, such as Kafil University in Hazrat Abbas shrine in Karbala.

Imam Reza shrine has always been consulted on various issues by Holy shrines in Iraq.

Imam Reza shrine has also managed to cultivate good ties with holy sites such as tomb of Salman in Al-Mada'in, Iraq, which can tremendously impact the concept of pilgrimage in Holy shrines.

Q: What is the biggest challenge for Imam Reza shrine to establish cultural and scientific connections with Islamic institutions, figures and scholars in other countries?

 A: The most important challenge here is the common enemy that has always strived to prevent our cross-border relations from taking deep roots. This sabotaging activism by enemies such as the Zionist regime is harmful.

Another challenge is the failure of the Holy shrines in putting their potentials into effect, and in using their capacities to forge a network. The efficient networking ties among thinkers and elites, which can resolve the first challenge, are yet to form. 

Next challenge is the absence of communication and media tools. Our elites do not use these tools effectively. Regrettably, there are multitudes of media that confuse the audience. Therefore, it has been agreed to design a unified and comprehensive system to help networking among the members and audience.

Last but not least, many elites have become internationally sidelined and remained obscure. Therefore, we are after networking via gatherings so that to make use of the scientific and intellectual capacity of elites and efficiently promote Imam Reza’s life and conduct.

Q: What are the prospects that the Deputy Office can forge fruitful ties to attract more and more Muslims from Islamic countries to Imam Reza shrine?

A: One of the strategic measures taken is devising a comprehensive blueprint to outline the strategies of the office in various areas such as relations with Holy shrines, pilgrims services in cultural and scientific aspects, endowments, international donations, etc.    

For example, regarding ties with Holy shrines, strengthening and expanding cooperation is taken into account. As a result, we have seen the first joint statement by the Holy shrine condemning the recent Israeli genocide in Gaza.

As for the pilgrims services, meetings have been held to examine ways to improve services both in quality and quantity.

In this blueprint, opinions of non-Iranian pilgrims have also been regarded.

Q: How long will it take for this comprehensive blueprint to become fully operational?

A: It has been designed based on upstream documents of the shrine, the statement of the Second Phase of the Revolution, and the Leader’s remarks. Unlike other documents, this blueprint can be easily turned into a workable program.

It has been predicted that the blueprint will very soon go through legal, research and study stages, be passed in the International Strategic Council and become operational in the shrine.

Q: How can Imam Reza shrine play a role in conducting extra-national missions and forging ties with other Islamic countries?

A: Imam Reza shrine is a mega-organization; therefore, it can play an efficient international role with more synergy among its various sections.

External synergy among the Holy shrines in Islamic countries is a prerequisite. On the other hand, the Zionist enemy has driven international players closer together. To realize the new Islamic civilization outlined by the Leader, this is an important precondition.

Q: How much are different sects of Islam familiar with the scope of activities in Imam Reza shrine?

Our colleagues in Communications and Media Center, Deputy Office for International Pilgrims Affairs, etc. are doing their utmost so that non-Iranian pilgrims have a nice pilgrimage. However, more needs to be done.

Investigations show that a small number of Shias can visit the shrine, and other Muslims do not know Imam Reza shrine well.  We are making every effort to promote Imam Reza’s life and conduct as much as possible, and here, social media come into play.

Q: In your opinion, which international activities and approaches of Imam Reza shrine are in a desirable state?

A: First and foremost, quantitative expansion of pilgrimage spearheads our international activism. That is, we try to attract more international pilgrims to Imam Reza shrine. Therefore, we are paving the way for more pilgrims from Pakistan and other countries to come to Mashhad through improving the quality of services.

Introducing Imam Reza in international spheres, interaction and providing service to other sections are among other measures.