A group of priests and representatives of religions participating in the International Forum on Imam al-Redha and the Divine Religions spoke on the scientific and moral personality of the Infallible Imam.

Dr. Christopher Paul Clohessy, a Catholic priest and representative of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome, stated that in Western studies, topics such as Shia Islam, its history and theology, Imamate and especially the life of the eighth Shia Imam have been neglected.

“There are important lessons in speech, behavior, conversations and debates, wise words and the lifestyle of Imam al-Redha which can be a model for contemporary society,” he said.

Clohessy went on to say, “A leader must have a moral and spiritual quality and throughout history, there have been many religious or political leaders who have helped people to keep them happy, while they lacked spirituality and morality. In the lifestyle of Imam al-Redha, equality, freedom of thought and manifestations of attention to the approximation of religions are observed.”

For his part, the head of the Lebanese Yasoua Al-Fadi Christian community, Alab Ili Sadir, said that the Infallible Imams, peace be upon them, are the successors of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and his saints.

“His noble father named him after his grandfather, Imam Ali, and his mother had all the characteristics of a Muslim woman, including chastity, purity, etc., and she was one of the great and faithful ladies of Islam,” Al-Fadi noted.

Dr. Chandre Govit Baharite, an expert on Sanskrit culture and language from the University of Delhi added, “When I visited the shrine of Imam al-Redha two years ago, I saw pilgrims from different countries of India, Pakistan, Iraq, etc. and I came to the conclusion that the people of this city should be kind and hospitable following the example of their Imam.”

He remarked that the holy shrine is a very sacred place, and therefore the lovers and devotees of many countries far or near come to this blessed establishment and show their devotion.

Source: Astan Quds Razavi