Preserving Sharia, divine decrees, among the most important duties of religions’ followers: Ayatollah Ramazani

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Thursday, 19 January 2023

The Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly met with Zaza Vashakmadze, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of the State Agency for Religious Affairs of Georgia.

ABWA Official Website – The Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly met with Zaza Vashakmadze, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Head of the State Agency for Religious Affairs of Georgia.

In this meeting, while expressing his satisfaction with the meeting with the head of the State Agency of Religious Affairs of Georgia, and expressing his gratitude and thanks for Mr. Vashakmadze’s diligence and attention towards all religions, especially Islam, and the Muslim community, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly noted, “Such benevolent measures of the Georgian government have made the country outstanding and a model for other countries in the peaceful coexistence.”

Preserving Sharia, divine decrees, among the most important duties of religions’ followers

Referring to the need for compensation, damages, and harm inflicted on religions during the Soviet era, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani stated, “During the seventy years of communist rule, the Caucasus region countries have definitely gone through a bitter time. Some believed that religion is the opium of the masses and society! But with such claims, religion, which is an absolute truth, was not removed from society. William James, a Western thinker, argues that “religion has a hundred lives, and if you fight and kill one of its lives, it will rise with another live!” Therefore, religion cannot be fought and destroyed. In addition, in the late years of Soviet rule, an American institute conducted a survey showing that more than ninety percent of the Soviet people still believe in God.”

Emphasizing the crucial issue of unity among the followers of religions, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “One of the most important duties of the followers of different religions should be preserving the Sharia and divine decrees. This will have a significant impact on society’s ethics. Today, unfortunately, due to wrong education and moral anomalies of the liberalism concept, some are looking for laws that are not acceptable in any way. In such a way that the family concept has been changed and distorted in the western world today, according to which an expanded concept of family and couples is introduced and promoted, which is very dangerous and deplorable. Previously, the response of the priests and bishops of the European communities about homosexuality was “disease”. But unfortunately, today they don’t even use that phrase anymore! It is legalized and accepted! In such a way that if someone speaks against it, they sue him! This is a human catastrophe. In the meeting with Archbishop Andrea, I learn that in the Georgian Orthodox community, with the grace of God, the Sharia still has sanctity, which is a source of joy and hope. Today, some people desperately seek to desecrate sacred things. Today, even Catholic centers and institutions in European countries avoid serious opposition against this human tragedy and are just satisfied with mere formal protest.”

Insulting the sacred things in the West under the concept of freedom!

Further in this meeting, while condemning repeated insults to Islam, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly noted, “Unfortunately, in the scientific texts of the Western, wrong interpretations and concepts have been deliberately used against Islam and the Prophet (p.b.u.h) in order to pave the way for insulting the Muslim community, Islam, and its sacred things. Unfortunately, today they do not consider any boundary between freedom and insulting the sanctities and interpret sacrilege as part of the freedom concept; an example of which is the insult of Charlie Hebdo magazine, which broke the hearts of a billion Muslims.”

“When I was in Germany, I wrote a letter to the Pope and appreciated him for distinguishing between insulting the sanctities and freedom of speech and not allowing to the insult to the holy things,” he continued.

Referring to legal weaknesses in human rights, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “Today, human rights texts are ignored. Therefore, a collective and human will must defend human rights based on the centrality of “man as human” and not based on the discriminations and double standards that we are witnessing now.”

“Today, at the meeting of Shiite missionaries, I emphasized that Muslims must respect the laws of the Georgian government. Because, for the development and promotion of a country, ethnicity should not be prioritized. The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) always opposed racism and ethnocentrism, and he always considered Arabs and non-Arabs equal. Therefore, nationality be prioritized in Georgia, and followers of all religions should be diligent in this regard,” he added.

Today, the human concept has been distorted

Regarding the redefinition of the human concept, he said, “I believe that in legal discussions the definition of human concept needs to be reviewed. Because today it has been distorted. Today’s distortion of the human concept is a sensory definition. This is while the definition should consider the rational-spiritual aspects of humans. In this context, the teachings of different faith can be used.”

“Human rights should be written based on the new definition of human,” he continued, “For example, according to a clause of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Man is free unless he causes harm to others”. Here, abuse is not only physical but mental and emotional abuse as well. When the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and Jesus Christ (p.b.u.h) are insulted, the souls of billions of people are hurt, and this issue should be pursued legally. Although the current process has been pre-managed, with the efforts and unity of the leaders of Abrahamic religions, the current position can be confronted, and establish a new definition. Therefore, a meticulous study is needed, for the necessary distinctions between sacred and non-sacred matters, and hence, due to a sense of responsibility, I consider the current human rights situation to be a great tragedy, and we must do whatever we can to stop this process.”

Iran and Georgia have deep historical relations

Further in the meeting, while expressing his satisfaction at meeting with Ayatollah Ramazani, Zaza Vashakmadze, the head of the State Agency of Religious Affairs of Georgia, stated, “I hope that such meetings will provide the basis for the development of mutual cooperation and good relations between the Georgia and Iran.”

Then, while considering the meeting of the General Secretary of the Assembly with Archbishop Andrea as useful and valuable, he said, “I am always eager and interested in visiting Iran. Because there are deep and extensive historical relations between the two countries and there are many commonalities. Iran’s ambassador to Georgia is especially active in religious and cultural affairs, and this has an impact on the development and strengthening of relations.”

While presenting a report on the agency’s activities and measures for different religions in Georgia, the head of the religious agency of the country expressed, “Islam is the second largest religion in Georgia, and more than 400,000 Muslims live in the country.”

The main demand of the Georgian government; Coexistence between religions

Referring to the peaceful coexistence of different religions in Georgia and considering it as a model for other countries, he continued, “This coexistence is the main desire of the Georgian government, and the cooperation, coordination and diligence of religious leaders, especially Muslims, both Shia and Sunni, are very crucial. However, unfortunately, internal and external enemies are trying to create division and obstacles against unity and empathy.”

Measures taken by the Georgian government are guarantee for peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence

“The current prime minister of Georgia used to be the head of the religious agency. He cares about the affairs of the religions, especially Islam. Political and religious authorities of the country attend various religious ceremonies, especially Islam, such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. In Ramadan, the Prime Minister holds an Iftar banquet with Muslim representatives and elites,” Vashakmadze added.

Referring to the government’s support in the affairs of mosques in Georgia, the head of the country’s religious agency expressed, “There are 600 registered mosques in Georgia, of which 228 mosques have been renovated for the Muslim community. Also, the government provides the necessary cooperation in the administrative and legal affairs of registering mosques. The important issue is that there is goodwill, and the actions of the government are a guarantee for peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence.”

In the end, on the assistance and compensations received due to the damages caused during the Soviet era, he stated, “The Orthodox Church community receives the most assistance with 25 million dollars per year, and the Muslim community is in the second row with 3.35 million dollars per year. These assistances and payments are made to prevent the dependence of the followers of the religions in Georgia on other countries. Therefore, in addition to the reconstruction of mosques, necessary cooperation is carried out in the cultural and religious affairs of Muslims.”

We have extensive common interests with Georgia

Dr. Mahmoud Adeeb, Iran’s ambassador to Georgia, who was also present in the meeting, stated, “Countries usually look for reasons and communication links to establish bilateral or multilateral relations, and they always seek to find common interests in economic, political, security, etc. issues. But fortunately, we didn’t need to find a way to have relations with Georgia.”

“Thousands of years of history and extensive commonalities have paved this path,” he added, “Therefore, paying attention to religious, cultural, and historical traditions and values is one of our main principles. Basically, our main task is to preserve this capital that our ancestors have bequeathed to us today. As a result, preserving this heritage and common cultural interests will strengthen and develop the path of cooperation.”

It is worth mentioning that in this meeting, Dr. Rashid, Deputy for International Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, Mr. Mehri, the respected Cultural Advisor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Georgia, Hojat al-Islam Zare, the head of the International Propagation Center of the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization, Mr. Yousofzadeh, the respected representative of Al-Mustafa (a.s.) International University, and Mr. Sadeghian, the head of the Commonwealth Nations of the Assembly, was also present. /345/

AhlulBayt (a_s_) World Assembly Ayatollah Ramazani religion Sharia