دانشگاه ادیان و مذاهب

The Center for Religious Studies

The Center for Religious Studies was established in 1996 through the efforts of some of Qom Seminary renowned scholars, and now over forty scholars (Faculty members) are engaged in research and teaching.

Aims of establishment

˜ Training experts in different fields of religions & Islamic faiths

˜Conducting basic, applied and comparative researches concerning different religions

˜ Establishing scholarly relations and holding religious dialogue with scholars and the followers of other religions

˜ Preserving divine values in a scientific and logical way

Steps already taken

üRunning a course for Islamic faiths, Abrahamic religions and Eastern religions for which up to forty graduates of Qom Seminary signed up

üFounding a Higher education institute for Master’s degree in nine academic fields of study including:

1. Abrahamic religions (Judaism & Christianity)

2. Eastern religions (religions of India, China, Japan and ancient Iran)

3. Islamic faiths

4. Islamic mysticism

5. Shiite study

6. Religious study

7. History of Shia

8. Jurisprudential faiths

9. Shiite faiths

üRunning intensive familiarizing courses especially for seminarians to get acquainted with other religions and faiths

üFormation of four research departments namely Islamic faiths, Islamic mysticism, Abrahamic religions and Eastern religions; and conducting in-depth researches on all fields: Shiism ,Sunnism , Mysticism, Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy, far east religions , Buddhism, religions of India and those of ancient Iran.

üPreparing a comprehensive research scheme
üInitiating an independent department to study and translate different encyclopedias of religions

üEstablishing a specialized library

üEstablishing a publication center

üPublishing books concerning religions & Islamic faiths (over forty tittles already published in addition to the publication of Penguin encyclopedia of religions)

üPublishing specialized Quarterly of "Haft Aseman” [Seven heavens](last issue: 31; Autumn 2006)

Haft Aseman is the first specialized journal in Persian language on religions & faiths. This quarterly has successfully managed to attract the attention of various researchers, professors and students of religions.

Among the essential and remarkable features of Haft Aseman are:

· Scholarly view without any bias and prejudgment about the issues raised

· Profiting from prominent and leading figures in the domain of religions

· Reflecting authoritative viewpoints of the scholars in this domain

· Providing scholars and those interested in this matter with fresh and precise information.

üCultivating scientific relations and cooperation with scholars, thinkers and researchers of various religions

üTaking part in religious forums

üHolding meetings and scientific lectures attended by outstanding figures from all around the glob

üDeveloping relations with domestic and international scientific and research centers in order to identify good researchers and exchange scientific information and findings about religions and faiths

üLaunching a website and establishing relations with religious scholars throughout the world via web

Steps to be taken

u Establishing a research center

u Running doctoral courses in higher education institution in various fields of different religions

u Setting up a computer database

u Conducting multidimensional and extensive researches based upon the comprehensive research scheme

u Building up an archive including films, CDs, pictures and symbols of different religions of the world

uIdentifying religions researches, websites, educational and research institutes dealing with religions and faiths all over the world

This institute is an appropriate place to meet the increasing demands of the communication age, and a firm and well-considered step in the field of religion and culture.

Preparing a situation for research in an absolutely scientific atmosphere and without any dogmatism is our goal.

Any ideas, suggestions and cooperations are welcomed