In a press conference held in the Iranian capital, Tehran, the head of Communications and Media Center, Mohsen Houshmand, explained why Imam Reza shrine has paid a special attention to media, stating: “The Custodian of shrine, Hoj. Marvi, is highly concerned about media and has always stressed the expansion of media activities”.

“Accordingly, Communications and Media Center, has put it high on its agenda to pave the way for production and publication of media content conforming with Imam Reza’s life and conduct”, continued Houshmand.

Emphasizing on the inclusive outlook of Imam Reza shrine, he noted that despite enjoying all the necessary capacities to produce relevant media content, the Communications and Media Center was open to collaborate with different external media activists and producers so that the best content could be produced. “We have, therefore, launched the biggest TV studio among the Islamic holy shrines”.

Houshmand also drew attention to the measures taken to expand the international section of the festival, noting: “The international section will act more on its own to call for submissions. To that end, there will be no limitations regarding foreign languages, and candidates can submit works from across the globe. This is, in fact, the main difference between this round and the previous rounds of the festival”.

Head of the Communications and Media Center further talked about different sections in the festival such as News and Analysis Media, Virtual Media, Audiovisual Media, etc.

“As for thematic concepts, this round of the festival will focus on Imam Reza’s life and conduct, pilgrims and pilgrimage, donations and endowments, Jihad of Elucidation, etc.”, added Houshmand.

 Elsewhere in the presser, Dr. Akbar Nasrollahi, the scientific secretariat of the festival called the event a strong accelerator for the quantitative and qualitative enhancement of media content regarding Imam Reza’s life and conduct.

Speaking about the main differences between Imam Reza Media Festival and other festivals, Nasrollahi maintained: “This festival is different; both in the content and competition since everything in it is aimed at displaying something good and spiritual”.

“The submissions to this event, in fact, serve today’s demands of humanity; they are humane and religious concepts that we need to take heed of more and more. These are patience, kindness, dialogue, cooperation, etc.”, continued the secretariat.

“The first and second rounds of the festival signaled a considerable development, and we can expect that this round could act as an accelerator for the production of Imam Reza-related media content, so that we would be able to provide other media with a model for Shia Media”, added Nasrollahi.

He also referred to the large number of submissions from other countries in different languages as an outstanding feature of this festival.

The scientific secretariat concluded his remarks by talking about Jihad of Elucidation as one of the focuses of the festival. “If we are to realize Jihad of Elucidation as outlined by the Leader of Islamic Revolution, we need to stress the principles of this important task. I think this kind of Jihad has to prioritize religion over economy or politics. Therefore, I urge all the media doyens to get down to business and write op-eds, news, and analyses, in order to increase both the strength of Jihad of Elucidation and the standard of submitted works”.