International Conference in Prophetic Knowledge and Challenges in the World Today held at ATU

The International Conference entitled "Prophetic Knowledge and Challenges of the World Today" was held at Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU) on 11 June 2023 and attended by a host of scholars and researchers in the areas of Theology and Islamic Studies.

Thanks to the efforts made by the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies at ATU, the international conference "Prophetic Knowledge and Challenges of the World Today" was organized at the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, ATU. The conference was attended by Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mostafa Rostami, President of I.R. Iran Supreme Leader's Representation at Iranian Universities; Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Sadegh Akbari Aghadam, Head of the Supreme Leader's Representative Office at ATU; Dr. Davoud Hosseinpour, Vice President for Research; Dr. Mehdi Vahedi, Vice President for Student Affairs; Dr. Mohammad Ali Eslami, Vice President for Cultural and Social Affairs; Dr. Hesameddin Khaltabari, Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies and Scientific Secretary of the Conference, as well as a group of Iranian and international researchers, thinkers and experts.

At the onset of the event, Dr. Khalatbari, Scientific Secretary of the Conference, maintained: "The conference was convened to draw on prophetic teachings and provide solutions for the challenges in the contemporary world. Designed with a special focus on developing the humanities, the event is the result of ten months of continuous cooperation between different Faculties at Allameh Tabataba'i University and related institutes. The conference secretariat received nearly 180 articles from 50 Iranian and foreign universities, of which 140 articles were selected to be presented at the conference."

Then, Dr. Abdollah Motamedi, ATU President, in a video message, pointed to the blazing-fast changes in society and claimed that despite their positive consequences for mankind, these changes have also created serious concerns: "In the light of the development of science and technology, fast-paced events are taking place, and it is crucial to study these events. For example, the concerns brought about by the development of AI and eugenics need to be investigated and researched thoroughly, because they have the potential to change people's lifestyles, educational system, political system, mozaf philosophies, etc."

He then added: "When we talk about 'Prophetic Teachings and the Challenges in the World Today', we want to use the capacity of prophetic teachings to solve today's challenges. As social developments are occurring fast, our findings and understanding of prophetic teachings should also occur quickly. In other words, we should make use of the dynamics provided by prophetic teachings and use them to solve our challenges. There are two types of perceptions in this practice: Personal opinions and intellectual rigidity. In the course of personal opinions, we intend to have our own thoughts and get theoretical support from prophetic teachings; intellectual rigidity, however, blocks the way of progress and is in conflict with the rapid course of scientific advancements. To talk about prophetic knowledge, therefore, one should have the necessary expertise and at the same time, also a good grasp of human knowledge."

ATU President concluded his speech, saying that the conference is "addressing a crucial theme and wants to provide an answer to today's challenges. These answers, even if not accurate and complete, will produce a foundation for future research and discussions. It is also necessary to pay attention to the dissemination of such knowledge because a suitable answer which is not available to the public will not be effective."

This conference was convened on the major themes of "Prophetic knowledge, society, and community", "Prophetic knowledge, politics and governance", "Prophetic knowledge, economy and finance", "Prophetic knowledge and the family", "Prophetic knowledge and Qur'anic studies" and "Prophetic knowledge and Communication and Media".