Quran Bearing Infinite Capacity for Interfaith Dialogue: Cleric

Hojat-ol-Islam Seyyed Mofid Hosseini Kouhsari made the remarks on the sidelines of his visit to the 31^st International Holy Quran Fair.

The Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) serve as the unifying axis for the entire Islamic world, he said. “We can engage in dialogue with all Islamic Madhhabs, including our Sunni brothers, through the Quran.”

“However, I believe we can go beyond this and create meaningful and successful religious dialogue centered around the Quran. We share many commonalities with Christians and followers of other divine religions,” he said.

Many of the ethical concepts mentioned in the Holy Quran can serve as common grounds for interfaith interaction and dialogue, he said. “We may have more than 200 common topics for religious dialogues.”

The Quran has an infinite capacity for dialogue with other religions, he stressed.

“In our dialogues with Eastern religions, many of the issues raised in the Quran are also of interest to them,” the cleric said.

“We hope that one day the Quran exhibition will become more international, in the true sense of the word, transforming into a global exhibition where dialogues centered on the Quran can take place,” Hosseini added.

The 31st International Holy Quran Fair commenced at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla on March 20, with the motto of “I Read You.” This spiritual and cultural event invites visitors on a journey of exploration.

Running until April 2, the exhibition welcomes enthusiasts daily from 5:00 PM to 00:30 AM local time. Notably, the fair fosters a family-friendly atmosphere, providing a warm and inclusive space for all age groups.

Iftar tables have been arranged, allowing visitors to break their fast together in a communal setting. Beyond its local appeal, the fair draws attention to global issues, emphasizing the role of the Quran in inspiring resistance, particularly concerning Gaza and Palestine.

Through artistic, cultural, and theatrical mediums, the fair aims to familiarize attendees with Quranic concepts. Special sections cover topics such as artificial intelligence, Nahj al-Balaghah, Quranic research and consultation, Quran translation, and easy Quran memorization.