UNESCO CHAIR For Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies in The Islamic World
The Imam Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him) Center for Specialized Studies and Research, in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair at the University of Kufa, convened a scholarly roundtable entitled “Principles of Governance and Citizenship in the Thought of Imam Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him).”
Held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the symposium welcomed an international delegation of academics and religious figures from France and Madagascar. The session was moderated by Dr. Hasnain Jaber Al-Hillo, Director of the Kufa Studies Center.
Key Contributions:
- Dr. Mortada Khaliq (Sorbonne University) explored the centrality of Imam ʿAli’s intellectual legacy in constructing a “genuine state of citizenship,” one founded upon justice, equality, and the realization of collective well-being.
- Dr. Tahseen Fadel (UNESCO Chair – University of Kufa) emphasized the imperative of integrated scholarly inquiry to identify the foundational principles of Imam ʿAli’s governance and to draw upon them in fostering sound and responsible citizenship.
- The University of Madagascar Delegation, comprising Dr. Marc Tiana, Sheikh Shamir Ali Mohammed Khoja, and Sheikh Azad Asghar Ali Khoja, contributed substantive scholarly interventions to the discussion.
Symposium Recommendations:
The roundtable featured an expansive dialogue on practical mechanisms for translating Alid values and principles into lived realities capable of advancing Islamic societies and their systems of governance. The event concluded with the General Supervisor, Sayyid Ali Al-Jabri, presenting certificates of appreciation to the researchers and visiting delegation, in recognition of their distinguished scholarly contributions.
