The interview with Dr. Abbas Javarshakian, the scientific secretary of the First International Conference on Resistance Theology at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad: : February 28, 2024 (7 Bahman 1403)

- What does resistance theology mean? What are the objectives of holding this conference?

-Currently, we are facing the magnificent reality of resistance in the field. You see how a nation, which has been subjected to the most severe destruction and aggression, losing everything, still resists with such courage and spiritual power. This is not limited to the noble people of Gaza; it's about the entire resistance front that has amazed the world.What is the intellectual and ideological backing of this resistance? What concept do these people have of themselves, the world, and the relationship between God and humans? This is a crucial point we need to address. The Supreme Leader has said that what endures is the thought of resistance. This needs to be explained to the world. Although we have entered this resistance with all our might, we have not seriously worked on its scientific explanation and codification. Now, it is the duty of academics, seminarians, and scientific elites to clarify this thought and its backing. Just as we have armed the hands of resistance with weapons and military equipment and provided comprehensive support, we must also fill the hands of thinkers in the field of resistance in universities. This requires a comprehensive scientific movement by thinkers and elites committed to the resistance movement. I hope this conference will be the beginning of this scientific movement in academic and elite spaces.

- Please tell us about the topics, specialized panels, and speakers of this conference.

- The issue of resistance is not exclusive to a particular intellectual, religious, or sectarian current. Anyone who enters this field, whether in Africa, Latin America, the United States, or Europe, is driven by human conscience and moral affiliations that unite all humans. Therefore, this conference operates on multiple levels. We have Shia teachings that determine our interaction with the world, with imperialism, and with various power currents. This is one level, an ideological and theological level, where Shia teachings are the intellectual backing for many in this field. There is a higher level that is interdenominational, involving concepts shared among Islamic sects, not just Shia. An even higher level involves interfaith concepts—belief in God, belief in divine justice and wisdom governing the world. We also have a very general level, which is humanistic discourse. Our audience can span all these categories. In terms of topics, you know that a lot of work has been done in the political and legal spheres, with many conferences held inside and outside the country on Palestine. However, looking at the issue from a theological perspective has been very weak. In this conference, we aim to explore and explain resistance from theological, jurisprudential, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual perspectives. We hope prominent theologians worldwide will participate. All institutions and individuals affiliated with the resistance movement are our audience. Regarding specialized panels, for example, we have discourses on justice-seeking, freedom-seeking, peace and war, weakness and arrogance (anti-arrogance), jihad and martyrdom, etc. Each of these is a field for discussion and creating a scientific discourse at the university level. We are seeking to develop and codify the resistance school of thought.

- When will this conference be held?

- The conference will take place in late spring 1404. The deadline for submitting abstracts is March 11, 2025 (20 Esfand 1403), and the deadline for submitting full papers is April 2025. God willing, we will hold the conference for the first time at the end of May or early June 2025.

-How can one participate and submit abstracts?

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