Speaking in the event, which took place in Sheikh Tabarsi Hall in the shrine on 17 January with scholars from different faiths and denominations in attendance, head of the congress referred to Imam Reza as the paragon for interfaith dialogue, saying: “Today’s world needs cooperation among faiths”.

According to Ayat Mohammad Abdkhodayee, “Today’s disputes are the result of deviation from the path of prophets and going down the path of power and wealth. Interfaith dialogue and cooperation among them directs us back to the path of prophets”.

The head of the congress added that the dialogue among different faiths can be on common convictions such the existence of God, the Hereafter and human’s will.

Practical issues such as justice and family foundation could also be discussed.

He continued that Muslims were ready to embrace this cooperation and dialogue.

A philosophy scholar, Gholamreza A’vani, said: “Dialogue with believers in other divine faiths has to be featured with wisdom, since it begets nothing but truth. Also, we have to avoid disputes in dialogues”.

“The Holy Quran advises the followers of different faiths to unity”, explained he.

 Elsewhere in the event, the secretary of the congress, Dr Ahad Framarz Gharamaleki cited interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence among the followers of different faiths, scientific interaction among scholars of different faiths, etc. as goals of the event.

He added that some 32 organizations and 81 research centers from other countries in Europe, the US and the Middle East contributed to the congress.

The congress saw the participation of distinguished Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian scholars.