The Third pre-conference session of the International Conference on Resistance Theology was held on Tuesday, February 26, 2025, at the Faculty of Theology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
The Third pre-conference session of the International Conference on Resistance Theology at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad was held on Tuesday, February 26, 2025, at the Faculty of Theology of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.
Dr. Abbas Javarshakian, the scientific secretary of the first International Theology of Resistance Conference, emphasized the necessity of entering the field of knowledge production and research in the area of resistance and theology in today’s world during the 25th training course for faculty members at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. He expressed hope that universities could fill this gap and contribute to the production of knowledge and religious thought.
At the beginning of this training course, Hojjatoleslam Dr. Imani-Moghaddam, the representative of the Supreme Leader at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, highlighted the importance of the topic of resistance theology in the current global context. He referenced the Supreme Leader's remarks about the significance of certainty in religious beliefs, stating: “True resistance is rooted in heartfelt certainty. Anyone who walks on the divine path, if equipped with necessary certainty and insight, will not be diverted from the path of truth by any threat.” He also pointed out the crucial role universities play in elucidating and promoting the foundations of resistance theology and called for greater interaction between professors and students to disseminate these concepts.
In the first part of the workshop, Hojjatoleslam Dr. Ali Misbah, a faculty member at Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute, discussed “Applied Theology from Allameh Misbah Yazdi’s Perspective.” He addressed Allameh Misbah Yazdi’s views on applied theology and its role in shaping a resistant society. He posed questions regarding whether theology can serve resistance or whether we define resistance based on theological principles, presenting three assumptions: first, Islam’s comprehensiveness and its impact on human life; second, the relationship between this world and the hereafter and how worldly actions affect eternal happiness; and third, the relationship between belief and action—whether beliefs should manifest in actions or not.
Following that, Dr. Hojjat Asadi, an assistant professor at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and executive secretary of the first International Theology of Resistance Conference, delivered a speech titled “Resistance in the Thought of the Supreme Leader.” He defined resistance as choosing the path of truth and standing firm against obstacles, identifying three main components: insight, movement, and stability. He examined the relationship between resistance, defense, and security, stating that resistance is a religious obligation that must be accompanied by revolutionary spirit and courage. He referred to five key elements of resistance: power, rationality, obligation, revolutionary spirit, and courage, emphasizing that its goal is to realize Islamic values and achieve worldly and otherworldly happiness.
Dr. Asadi also introduced the concept of "faith-based resistance," distinguishing it from other forms. He stressed that resistance should be active and dynamic, relying on trust in God Almighty and divine assistance. He noted that the Islamic Revolution succeeded due to a cohesive intellectual system encompassing principles such as monotheism, justice-seeking, opposition to arrogance, advocacy for the oppressed, and independence. He reminded attendees about Imam Khomeini's (RA) emphasis on spiritual and otherworldly dimensions of defense and security within Islamic thought. He stated that defense and security must respond to human needs and instincts while asserting that resistance can be central to defense and security. In conclusion, he referenced 32 components and 180 indicators from the Supreme Leader's teachings, emphasizing that these components form a cohesive whole within the concept of resistance.
In the second part of the workshop, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Hassan Vakili, a senior lecturer at Khorasan Seminary School, discussed “Clarifying Religious Knowledge Theory.” He examined how religious sources influence producing various models in different social and cultural domains. He stated that religious sources can serve as tools for discovering realities and creating profound changes across various fields. In another part of his speech, he noted that although religious information may be limited in volume, its impact is deep and strategic. Given these profound influences from religious sources, produced models may undergo significant changes even if they do not overtly include religious propositions; their general principles can still be influenced by religious teachings. This seminary scholar believes that examining human happiness from a religious perspective within psychology can lead to changes in psychological strategies. He regarded religious sources as a rich resource for generating knowledge and creating social changes.
In the third part of the workshop, Dr. Mohammad Fanaei (head of philosophy at Imam Khomeini Educational Research Institute) spoke on “Resistance and Chivalry; The Relationship Between Today’s Resistance and Yesterday’s Code of Chivalry.” He discussed connections between chivalry traditions and resistance culture throughout Islamic history. Dr. Fanaei emphasized that chivalry relates to moral traits rather than age or gender; this concept encompasses forgiveness, generosity, and loyalty—qualities present in older individuals as well as women. He referenced historical examples within Iranian culture where women have exemplified chivalry. Furthermore, he pointed out chivalry's ties to mysticism and spirituality—true chivalry manifests through closeness to God while forgetting oneself. He argued for revisiting this connection since chivalry has sometimes strayed from its original philosophy due to events like Ashura symbolizing peak chivalry and spirituality.
Finally, he underscored reconstructing models of chivalry based on examples from infallibles using credible sources like the Quran and Nahj al-Balagha for better understanding this concept while noting that Ferdowsi's Shahnameh effectively conveys messages about chivalry.
The last speaker during this educational session was Hojjatoleslam Dr. Mojtaba Misbah, a faculty member at Imam Khomeini Educational Research Institute who addressed “The Theological Foundations of Resistance,” emphasizing its various dimensions' importance. At the outset of his remarks, he expressed no regret over actions taken toward resistance efforts—stating failure to achieve desired goals does not equate to a lack of inner growth for a believer. He stressed that individuals must always recognize their responsibilities while highlighting leadership roles' significance along with clerical insight. In another part of his discourse he emphasized genuine faith fosters resilience against challenges; fearlessness before anything but God—trusting neither enemies nor outsiders—and recognizing boundaries between right and wrong were additional focal points in his speech. Ultimately Dr. Misbah asserted if individuals turn towards non-authentic values or baseless concepts like human rights or unrestrained freedoms they may lose their capacity for resistance yielding before adversaries.
