Press conference on International Conference “Abu Talib, Supporter of the Great Prophet”

News Conferences & Exhibitions Joint Conferences

Monday, 21 December 2020

The press conference of the International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib, Supporter of the Great Prophet” was held in AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly headquarter in Qom.

The press conference of the International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib, Supporter of the Great Prophet”, was held on Monday, December 21, 2020 in AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly headquarter in Qom.

In the meeting, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “It is necessary to study in detail such figures as Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) who were influential during the Revelation of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h).”

“Probably for some reason, no complete research has been done about Abu Talib (a.s.). However, research should be done on his personality in historical sources, the Holy Quran and the narrations of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). Knowing Abu Talib (a.s.). is knowing a part of the Islamic heritage”, said Ayatollah Ramazani in the press conference.

“Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) was one of the people who played an influential role in the process of expansion and progress of the Prophet’s mission. He considered himself as the supporter of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Therefore, in some definitive historical books, the issue of his military defense of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) has been raised. Abu Talib (a.s.) should be introduced as an example of chivalry and loyalty”, he explained the personality of Abu Talib (a.s.).

“The subject of our study on the character of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) is not only the issue of his faith or non-faith; rather, the issues raised about Abu Talib (a.s.) are above the issue of his faith. Ibn Abi al-Hadid, one of the commentators of Nahj al-Balaghah, refers to the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and defends him. We believe that he believed in the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), but above the faith, it matters to us to explain his character as a supporter of the Islam. In our tradition, monographs have been written about the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), some of which alone are enough to prove his faith. For example, Sheikh Mofid’s treatise on Abu Talib’s faith is sufficient for the issue and there is no need to refer to numerous books.”, added the seminary professor, Ayatollah Ramazani.

Emphasizing that the religious movement needs strong support, Ayatollah Ramazani added, “During the pre-Islamic Ignorance era, when the Arab faced crises of belief, politics, morality and culture, a well-known figure known as “Amin” emerged and preached his Prophecy. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) began his invitation publicly, and after that, repeated and various pressures began against the new Muslims. Therefore, it is necessary to study the martyrs and figures of the advent of Islam, such as Yasir, Somayeh and Bilal, who defended Islam, the leadership of the Prophet and the formation of the Revelation.”

“Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) had a comprehensive and spiritual personality, had a (high) position among the Quraysh and supported the Prophet (p.b.u.h) in all dimensions; he was influential, and in some issues, his influential role was determinative”, he added.

“Abu Talib’ poems indicate his monotheism and his support of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) was not (just) as a guardian and family relationship, but as a believer in the Mission. However, he has been neglected in history and in texts the discussions related to Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) are limited to the study of his belief and disbelief!”, Ayatollah Ramazani pointed out.

Explaining the International conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)”, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In the conference, we will not only discuss the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), because there is no problem in this regard. The Abu Talib movement is an Islamic movement, not a Shiite one; and the conference will emphasize his personality as a prominent and influential person in the course of the Prophet’s Mission, and a true believer in the Mission and Tawhid (Monotheism) who helped the Prophet (p.b.u.h). After the demise of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and Hazrat Khadijeh (a.s.), the Prophet (p.b.u.h) was so sorrowful that the Muslims called that year “Aam al-Hozn” (Year of Grief).”

“In the Shi'b Abi Talib (Valley of Abi Talib) (during Meccan boycott of the Hashemites), the Quraysh imposed social sanctions on the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and his companions in addition to economic sanctions and prohibition of trade and exchange; that is, even talking to the Prophet and his companions was prohibited. The management of the valley (in which the prophet and his companion boycotted in), as the most severe sanctions and pressure against the Prophet (p.b.u.h), was the responsibility of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). Therefore, after his demise, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) became very sad,”, the Secretary General of the ABWA said.

“After the approval of the International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” in the Assembly, we met with the Grand Sources of Emulation and scholars of Qom; they welcomed the conference with material and spiritual support”, he also said.

“Holding the conference is in line with the unity of Muslims and Islamic Ummah as well as the path of Islamic proximity. Because the faith of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) has been mentioned in the books of Sunni scholars and they have also written articles about it. The collection of these books, articles, and poetry of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) is one of the activities that will be done in this conference”, said the professor of the higher courses in the Qom seminary on the “International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)”.

Regarding the executive measures of the conference, he said, “To hold the conference, an academic council was formed with the presence of prominent personalities and experts. “History and Biography”, “Theology and Beliefs”, “References and Authors”, “Poetry and Literature” and the special section “Resistance” are the 5 main sections of the conference for which the call for papers was issued. “Resistance” means that some people opposed the Mission of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) was among those who defended the Mission. The conference deals with the activities of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s) between the first and tenth year of the Prophet’s Revelation.”

About the works submitted to the Secretariat of the International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); the Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” Ayatollah Ramazani said, “So far, more than 400 abstracts and 100 articles in 5 languages have been submitted to the Secretariat of the Conference. Academic conferences will be held inside and outside the country, some of which have been held so far. Detailed video interviews will also be conducted in the presence of expert professors.”

“On the “Poetry and Literature” section, a call has been issued so experts submit their poems to the conference; art programs and poetry sessions will be held in Qom province; there will also be programs in the visual arts. We are following up the 26^th of Rajab, the day of the death of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), to be introduced by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, as the day of custody and support of orphans. We are following it and if it is approved, it will be a blessed event. Other activities of the conference secretariat include announcing the International Scholarship of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) in the field of Islamic history, announcing the support of seminary dissertations related to Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and approving the National Award of Abu Talib (a.s.) in order to appreciate the supporters of orphans”, he added.

Explaining the reason for postponing the International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)”, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly said, “The conference was scheduled for March 12, 2020. At that time, we met with the Grandt Sources of Emulation and it was decided that some of them would speak at the conference, but with the outbreak of covid-19, all conferences were closed. It was studied that it might not be appropriate to delay the conference and it was concluded that we should follow the conference online and in a webinar. Therefore, researchers and speakers were scheduled to present their papers and articles within three days.”

“Abu Talib (a.s.) was one of the influential figures in the growth and prosperity of the Prophet’s Mission. In the “Resistance” section, the movements that were against the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and opposed him will be mentioned, and the support of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) from the Prophet will be pointed out”, Ayatollah Ramazani stated about the outcome of the International Conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)”.

The Secretary General, Ayatollah Ramazani, answered questions

In response to a question from ABNA News Agency reporter, Mahboubi about the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the conference, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “There is currently no need to establish a permanent secretariat. But if such a necessity is felt, we will stablish it. Of course, a permanent secretariat for the introduction of Islamic figures may be established later under a more general title, and before that, we must conclude on this point. This conference is held because of the importance of the Hazrat Abu Taleb’s personality, and after it is held, there will be no reason for a permanent secretariat. Unless, under a general title, a permanent secretariat is established to introduce the Islamic figures who were influential in various fields. But it should be mentioned that Abu Talib (a.s.) Prize and Scholarship will be awarded always and every year.”

In response to reporters’ questions about the time of the conference and the deadline for submitting articles, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “The conference will be held on March, 9, 10 and 11, 2021 and the deadline for submitting articles will be February 18, 2021.

To see pictures of the session, click here.

 
It should be mentioned that by the initiation of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, and support and cooperation of the similar institutions, including, “Imam Hossein (a.s.) Holy Shrine”, “Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute”, “The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought”, “Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy of Islamic Propagation Office”, “Al-Mustafa International University”, “Hawza Language teaching center”, “International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.)”, “Mirath-e Nabowat Cultural Institute”, “Jamiat al-Zahra Seminary University”, “Zorria al-Nabawia Research Center”, “Qasem ibn al-Hassan (a.s.) Religious-Cultural Institute”, and “Abna al-Rasoul Cultural and Artistic Institute”; international conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” will be held.

The deadline for submitting academic works and articles to this conference has been extended until February 18, 2021.

To receive the academic call of the conference, click here.

The other program which will be held in the sideline of the conference is the “General Festival of Poetry about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)”.

To receive the academic call for the Poetry Festival, click here.

Tags

• Abu Talib
• Great Prophet
• International Conference
• Press conference
• Protector