“There's a significant gap in translating and producing Shia literature in Turkey”, highlighted Dr. Fatıma Betül Sayöz, a Turkish scholar specializing in religions and mysticism, during the opening ceremony of the 4th International Congress of Imam Reza and Modern Sciences, which was hosted by Imam Reza International University (IRIU).
The event focused on Islamic education and family and coincided with the anniversary of the marriage between Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatima.  
“Certain regions in Turkey follow Twelver Shiism, which has encouraged academic research on Imam Reza’s teachings”, Sayöz noted.
She referenced Sherif Pasha, a diplomat active during the Ottoman Empire and later in Turkey, who was a leading figure in Kurdish nationalism. “Many Shia scholars from Sherif Pasha’s era and beyond have held deep reverence for Imam Reza”.  
She further emphasized the urgent need to expand translation efforts and produce scholarly works based on Shia sources, stating, “Many valuable Shia texts are yet to be untranslated into Turkish”.
 Sayöz urged institutions to develop a translation movement and increase academic content production, ensuring that Turkish-speaking audiences can have access to rich Islamic and cultural knowledge.  
Elsewhere in the event, Dr. Gharamaleki, head of the Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi, also addressed the congress, highlighting, “There are ongoing collaborations with Kosar Institute to translate Shia works into Turkish”.
He stressed the importance of expanding these efforts to enhance cross-cultural academic exchange.  
As part of the congress’s academic initiatives, ten specialized committees were formed, covering topics such as Imam Reza’s role in social and political education, economic guidance, ethical and spiritual development, rational training, pilgrimage, media influence, arts and architecture, and family planning. These committees featured national and international scholars presenting research papers and lectures.