Hannah Smith reflects upon her trip to the latest global unity and Islamic awakening conference in Tehran (November 23-25, 2017)

The conference, titled ‘Lovers of the Ahlul Bayt(as) and Takfirism Issue’ brought together 600 Muslims, both Sunni and Shi‘a from over 100 countries. The conference was a follow-up to ten global conferences held in Tehran by the WAIA in 2011 on the theme of Islamic Awakening.

Here the delegation of 600 Muslims including leading scholars, politicians and activists were welcomed by the organizer of the conference, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ali Akbar Velayati. Dr Velayati gave an speech introducing the conceptual bases of the conference: creating unity between Sunni and Shi‘a through mutual love of the Ahlul Bayt(as), and countering the propaganda of deviant forms of Islam by spreading knowledge of the example of the Ahlul Bayt(as), a concept so simple it is hard to fathom how our respective communities across the world have failed to recognize this perfect antidote to ISIS! When the actions of ISIS are held up against the lives of the Ahlul Bayt(as) – who showed the utmost restraint and compassion at all times – no one can be in doubt about the legitimacy of ISIS barbarity. Even when defending themselves on the battlefield, with no choice but to fight or die the Prophet’s family continued to gently preach and invite their enemies to the beautiful path of Islam.

The conference lasted two days in total. The conference delegation was also blessed to receive a rousing speech from Ayatollah Khamenei at his private house where he similarly echoed the lofty objectives of the conference.

Source: Islam Today Magazine