VIF Interaction with the visiting delegation from Iran On Interfaith Dialogue in the Historical Perspective, especially from India and Iran Point of View

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On December 15, 2022, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized an interaction with a high level delegation from Iran. The theme of the discussion was 'Interfaith Dialogue in the Historical Perspective, especially from India and Iran Point of View'. Dr Arvind Gupta, Director VIF, delivered the introductory remarks, which were followed by a presentation by Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-chancellor, Central Sanskrit University, Delhi. Dr. Adil Rasheed, Research Fellow, MP-IDSA also made a presentation. The Iranian delegation headed by Dr. Mahdi Mostafavi Vice-President, International Affairs, Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran also included Dr. Mohd Ali Rabbani, Cultural Counsellor of Iran in India, Dr Hassan Tarkashvand, Head of education and research institute of Islamic religions and Drmohsed Alveri, Baqerul Uloom University of Iran.

Some Salient points that emerged after the discussion-

• There must be dialogue between the religions because there cannot be peace between the nations if there is not peace among the various religions.
• The participants agreed that interfaith dialogues are crucial in today's turbulent and challenging times. In this regard, Samvad, the Global Hindu-Buddhist Dialogue Initiative, is a positive mechanism led by VIF with an emphasis on environmental consciousness and conflict avoidance.
• However, in order to have a meaningful discourse across religions, the foundations of the religions should be investigated.
• While preserving their individuality, all religions must respect each other.
• Hinduism is not a religion but a way of worship and Dharma is not religion but a way of life.
• Hinduism has long encouraged religious pluralism.
• Islam also promotes humanism and peace.
• Since medieval times, Hinduism and Islam have coexisted in India.
• Fanaticism and extremism must be rejected by religions. To combat the extremist interpretations of religion, all religious groups must work together.
• Sufism, which serves as a unifying force across other religions, and other moderate forms of religion should be encouraged.
• The civilizational ties between India and Iran must be preserved since they form the foundation for all other kinds of cooperation.
• The long-standing cultural and linguistic ties between Persian and Indian traditions serve as evidence of the shared history between Iran and India.
• The Persian and Sanskrit languages have a commonality. Exploration of Sanskrit and Persian routes should be done to exemplify the civilizational link between India and Iran.