Here is the English abstract of Davoud Me’mari (Associate Professor at Imam Khomeini International University)'s presentation at the 10^nd pre-con meeting of the conference “Imam Reza (PBUH) and Interreligious Dialogue" which was held in Imam Khomeini International University (Qazvin, Iran) on  December 18, 2023.

Courses of Action for Creating and Continuing Interreligious Dialogue

The realization and continuation of dialogue between the followers of religions has been one of the long-cherished and sweet wishes of thinkers in all ages and periods. If it is done properly, it will have great fruits and brilliant results for human culture and human civilization. "Proximity of the teachings of religions, increasing the empathy and mutual understanding among different religions’ followers, creating peace and peaceful coexistence in the world, etc." are all ideals that will not be achieved without dialogue and mutual understanding. Before any practical action, the existence of a course of action for the realization and continuation of this goal is an inevitable necessity. Based on this general plan and fundamental map, all followers of religions, must in the first step; consider dialogue with each other as a strategic and permanent necessity, not a tactical, formal, ceremonial, and temporary policy. In the second step, they should be open-minded, avoid exclusivism and dogmatism, and consider their dialogue partners not as false, but as having a share of the truth. In the third step, they should make rationality the axis and judge of the dialogue. In the fourth stage, they should emphasize the common points in the dialogues and think about win-win games. The fifth step is about tolerance and morality in dialogue. In the sixth step, they should entrust the dialogues to scientific working groups, thinkers and wise men, and not bring the differences to the public. The final and maybe the most important step that should occur in the field of action is recognizing and respecting the dignity, freedoms and rights of the followers of other religions in society. This article, using a descriptive-analytical method and based on the verses and interpretations of the Qur'an, the Hadiths and the lives of the Infallibles, and the rich Islamic culture and civilization, will propose a practical and logical course of action about the necessity, fruits, and conditions for the realization and continuation of dialogue between the followers of religions.

Translator: Mahdi Qasemi