Center for peace and dialogue

The Center for Peace and Dialogue (CPD) is a multi-disciplinary academic institute at the University of Religions and Denominations, which promotes peace and reconciliation through interreligious and intrareligious dialogue. The CPD is committed to religious peace-building among communities and friendly relations between nations by a variety of means including .education, research, training and dialogue.

The Center for Peace and Dialogue (CPD) shares effective strategies for graduate studies to equip students with the skills, knowledge and practical experience beyond the curriculum to participate in addressing fundamental challenges of our societies.

The Center for Peace and dialogue (CPD) promotes knowledge and skills in cultural dialogue at both national and international levels. The CPD was established in April 2020 by merging three thematic offices that were affiliated to different faculties and joined the faculties and other institutes of the University with three thematic departments:

Department of Human Rights

Department of Interreligious Dialogue

Department of Ecumenism

 Since the three thematic departments have already were functional in various faculties before merging into the Center for Peace and Dialogue (CPD), it has already achieved vast research and training experiences in both theoretical studies and practical skills and advanced its relations with other educational institutes in the Islamic Republic of Iran and abroad. Furthermore, it pursues to conduct research and training courses in order to establish human solidarity and disseminate the values of moderation and tolerance of Islamic civilization. The CPD also attempts to exhibit the moral values of Islamic faith and to strengthen the bonds of unity and solidarity among Muslim nations.

Who We Are

The University of Religions and Denominations (URD) is a non-profit institute which offers the student an advanced level of post-graduate education in their chosen area of study. The URD combined modern education with traditional religious learning to promote friendly relations among nations and enhance understanding and tolerance between religious communities. This challenging task is carried out through interdisciplinary studies and research works that connect theology and jurisprudence to contemporary matters such as peace and conflict resolution. To achieve this, the URD established several faculties and research institutes, including the Center for Peace and dialogue which attempts to depict the moderation and balanced teachings of Islam and understand the differences and diversity of religions, denominations, and cultures.

Over the years, not only the URD has acquired unique expertise and experience in religious studies in the Islamic Republic of Iran which turned it into a leading institute of the field, it established a network of academic cooperation through bilateral relations with many academic institutions within the Muslim World and beyond.

Furthermore, it pursues to conduct research and training courses in order to establish human solidarity and disseminate the values of moderation and tolerance of Islamic civilization.

To achieve this, the URD established several faculties and research institutes, including the Center for Peace and dialogue which attempts to depict the moderation and balanced teachings of Islam and understand the differences and diversity of religions, denominations, and cultures

Religious discussion group

Conversation, eloquent language and the power of expression are among the highest human perfections, which have distinguished him and his superiority over all creatures. Conversation and expression are as old as human history and the creation of this earthly creature. Also, religious dialogue has been customary among the followers of divine religions for a long time, although at one time each of them did this in order to show their superiority. But the inter-religious dialogue, which has been talked about for a while, is a separate category from these discussions and has created a burden for itself in the direction of reconciliation and peace.

Since the second half of the 20th century, the term inter-religious dialogue has been recognized in most religious communities, and in this regard, elders from different religions have worked hard to implement this matter. And the followers of all the religions of the world have agreed on this issue and are in the process of creating comprehensive and global programs.

But in order to clarify the requirements and benefits of interfaith dialogue, it is necessary to address the issue of what are the requirements of interfaith dialogue? This question was not originally discussed because of doubts, but it has occupied the minds of many thinkers in this field.  It should be noted that one of the most important characteristics of the current world society is general pluralism and the differences and diversities of today’s world make the followers of divine religions come together and by cooperating and consulting with each other, think about the problems and issues that threaten the interests of the whole humanity. Coordination and interaction between religions and their followers is one of the essentials of this period of time.

The importance and necessity of Religious Dialogue

Issues and dilemmas that have exposed all religions to common concerns and threats, not only is the dialogue between religions necessary and inevitable, rather, now it is necessary to step beyond the scope of dialogue and practically to deal with the existing threats and concerns, by sharing the efforts of religions, a single policy and specific and common policy should be adopted.

Today, a large part of human sufferings, such as genocides, massacres, racism and killings, are not inherently political issues, rather, they are issues related to human rights, and religions have clear positions in these cases and condemn any criminal act, racism, and murder.

Dialogue between religions is the only direct way to reach mutual understanding of religions.

The inter-religious dialogue makes the path of resolving inter-religious issues smoother and shorter, and by reducing the conflicts, it creates a safer world for the followers of the religions and the people in general.

The goals of the Religious Dialogue group

With God’s help to create peace and dialogue, this center has started its work based on respect and mutual interaction;

Explaining the intellectual and theoretical foundations of inter-religious dialogue and getting to know the commonalities and differences of religions in order to remove obstacles and strengthen common borders;

Examining and presenting practical solutions for religious dialogue and taking an effective step towards world peace by taking advantage of active potentials in different religions;

Creating a suitable platform for free and tension-free discussions for different religious groups in joint scientific meetings;

removing misunderstandings and religious prejudices and debunking unfounded accusations and disputes against other religions;

Identifying the plans of enemies of religions to create divisions among religions and providing solutions to prevent these actions and bring religions closer together;

coordination and cooperation of religious dialogue groups inside and outside the country;

Identifying and attracting the cooperation of researchers, pioneers and students interested in religious dialogue;

Spreading the culture of religious dialogue among students.

Human Rights Group

Scientific Department of Human Rights Studies

“Human rights” refers to the rights of human beings and has a close, deep and reciprocal relationship with “peace” and, strictly speaking, it is its complement in human society. In order to achieve “peace”, the privacy and sanctity of “human rights” must be preserved, and at the same time, what can be considered as a valid guarantor of the enjoyment of “human rights” by members of the society is the rule of “peace” in the society. Of course, if the privacy of “human rights” in its various fields, that is; The rights of social and political freedom, the rights of religious and religious freedoms, the rights of freedom of expression and information, the rights of women, the rights of children, the rights of ethnic groups and nations, economic rights, social rights, and cultural rights are broken and human dignity is violated, and the freedoms that are The title of Muslim human right is recognized, denied or limited, “Peace” will disappear from the society, while if “Peace” is present in the society, “Human Rights” will also be present and protected. Human rights”, that is; The authoritative presence of “Peace” in society.

With regard to the above introduction, the “Scientific Group of Human Rights Studies” at the Peace and Dialogue Center of the Faculty of Religions and denominations, with the aim; Supporting human rights research and education within the scope of the center’s duties and powers, and the duties described below, has started its activity in July 1402.

duties:

Carrying out research projects, organizing training courses and holding workshops and seminars and publishing research related to human rights.

Cooperation with organizations, institutions and researchers in the field of research and promotion of human rights.

supporting theses and research on human rights.

Training of scientific, educational and research staff and specialists of the country in the field of human rights.

Establishing a connection between academic and seminary centers, in order to promote legal literature and localize related concepts and solutions, while respecting the universality of human rights.

Religious approximation group

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