UNESCO CHAIR For Inter-Religious Dialogue Studies in The Islamic World
The international platform Hamsat Net hosted Assistant Professor Dr Tahseen Fadhil Abbas, a member of the UNESCO Chair for Interreligious Dialogue at the University of Kufa, on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, in a special episode of its dialogue programme, Echoes of Humanity.
The episode, moderated by Dr Ali Musa Al-Mousawi, Secretary-General of the International Council for Religious and Humanitarian Dialogue, was dedicated to discussing Dr Tahseen’s latest book, Religions in the Qur’anic Perspective: A Comparative Analytical Study.
During the interview, Dr Tahseen outlined the principal themes of his book, emphasising that the Qur’anic perspective recognises religious pluralism as a divinely ordained principle and a universal reality. He explained that religion, in its fundamental essence, is one—namely, monotheism—while religious laws and prescriptions vary in accordance with the evolving needs and circumstances of human societies.
The UNESCO Chair member further stressed that ultimate judgement and the determination of religious truth belong exclusively to God Almighty on the Day of Resurrection, rather than to any religious institution. He called for overcoming misconceptions and stereotypes among followers of different religions through meaningful and constructive dialogue, citing the experience of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) as a distinguished model for managing diversity and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Dr Tahseen also underscored that the principal common ground among religions lies in their shared ethical values, including justice, honesty, and compassion. He affirmed that the ultimate purpose of religion is to foster human development, contribute to the flourishing of the earth, and promote peace.
It is worth noting that Echoes of Humanity is part of a series of intellectual programmes produced by the international platform Hamsat Net, which seeks to promote a culture of enlightened dialogue and counter extremist and hate-driven discourse
