Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The seventh specialized meeting of the third round of the series of international cultural, educational and elite meetings of the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly entitled "We are the sons of Al-Hussein" and centered on "A look at the Arbaeen media", was held in Karbala Al-Mu'alla.
In the afternoon session of this meeting, which was specifically dedicated to the discussion of the media, intellectuals and media activists from different countries presented their analyses and views.
Meanwhile, Hojjatoleslam Wal-Muslimeen Sayyid Issa Hosseini Mazari, Head of the Center for Cultural and Social Activities of the Afghan Tebyan, in a speech, referring to the importance of Afghanistan in regional and global developments, stated: Afghanistan is one of the most important countries, and the good and bad of this country can affect the good and bad of the world.
He added: If we want peace to be established in other countries, security to be formed, and the problems that exist in different parts of the world to be reduced, the problems of Afghanistan must be solved; Because Afghanistan is not just a country with an internal issue, but its situation has an impact on the region and the world.
Referring to his speech at an international conference in Lebanon, Hosseini Mazari said: Years ago, I raised the issue at a conference in Lebanon that the good and bad of Afghanistan affect the good and bad of the world, and today I still believe that paying attention to Afghanistan is a regional and global necessity.
Referring to some incorrect views on the status of Afghanistan, he stated: Sometimes some people do not have enough knowledge of the importance of Afghanistan when comparing the resistance of nations. When talking about the sacrifice of nations, the historical realities of Afghanistan must also be seen.
The head of the Tebyan Center said: Afghanistan has resisted global arrogance for more than 40 years. In the war with the Soviet Union, we lost more than a million martyrs and wounded; there are few countries in the world that have paid such a price against a superpower.
He added: In the war with America, the people of Afghanistan also paid heavy prices; In addition to the large number of physical martyrs, millions of people also suffered cultural and religious damage, and this cultural and religious damage is more dangerous than physical damage because it targets the identity, belief, and thought of society.
Hosseini Mazari emphasized: Therefore, it is expected that Iranian and non-Iranian personalities, institutions, and movements pay serious attention to the issue of Afghanistan and correctly understand the position of this country in the developments of the Islamic world.
Ashura and Arbaeen; Great Media Models of the Islamic World
The head of the Center for Cultural and Social Activities of Tebyan Afghanistan, continuing his speech, referring to the topic of the meeting "We are the Sons of Al-Hussein" and the role of the media in the present era, said: Talking about the media is a specialized and extensive discussion and requires plenty of time, but some basic points can be mentioned.
He divided the media into two general categories and said: One type of media is traditional media, which includes mosques, Hussainiyyahs, pulpits, and any platform that is located among human communities, and the second type is modern media, which includes print, electronic, visual, audio media, cyberspace, and social networks.
Hosseini Mazari added: Media practitioners are also divided into two parts; first, "media person" and second, "media organization." A media person is someone who creates an impact in society through his activities, thoughts, behavior, and content production, and a media organization includes news agencies and media groups.
Referring to the place of Ashura in this context, he stated: The most important examples of media people in history are Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Zaynab (SA). Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) emerged as a media person in the Ashura incident, and Hazrat Zainab (peace be upon her) was also the only media person who conveyed the message of Ashura to society.
The head of the Tabyan Center said: Today, Arbaeen itself has also become a media person; a phenomenon that we see how it is effective worldwide and conveys the message of Hussein to different nations and societies.
The rich resources of Islamic media and the mission of guidance
Referring to the content resources of Islamic media, Hosseini Mazari said: The food of Islamic media is the Holy Quran, divine verses, narrations, the words and behavior of the infallible Imams (peace be upon them), and we have very rich and abundant resources.
He added: The work of Islamic media is an easy task in a way; because this media moves in accordance with human nature. Islamic media is on the path of guidance, direction, and awakening human nature.
He clarified: God-willingness, Islam-willingness, truth-seeking and a tendency towards divine values have been placed in human beings. The duty of the Islamic media is to reawaken this nature, which may have been forgotten or fallen asleep due to various factors.
The first problem: Not practicing all of Islam
He considered the first problem to be the complete non-practice of some individuals and Islamic movements by all of the teachings of Islam and said: If an individual or an Islamic movement truly practices all of Islam and Islamic rulings, it will definitely be effective.
Hosseini Mazari added: This non-practice is sometimes intentional and sometimes occurs due to a lack of knowledge, literacy, and sufficient understanding of Islam.
The second problem: Conservatism
He considered the second problem to be conservatism and stated: Despite serious developments in the region and the world and despite the great effects that have occurred after the martyrdom of the martyred leader of the nation, many media, personalities, and movements still act conservatively.
The head of the Tebyan Center said: The enemy does not leave the sword unsheathed and does not leave any tool or possibility unused against Islamic societies, but unfortunately, some Islamic movements continue to act cautiously and conservatively.
Referring to the activities of the Tebyan Center, he said: One example of this issue was the introduction of the title "Imam Khamenei". We at the Tebyan Center were the first movement to introduce this title in Afghanistan, Iran, the region and the world; before us, no other movement used it in this way.
Hosseini Mazari added: Even some Iranian friends and revolutionary and religious elements were opposed to this issue at the time and said that this title should not be used. This is an example of the same conservatism that reduces the effectiveness of media movements.
The third problem: being reactive
He considered the third problem to be the reactive nature of Islamic media and said: Many media wait to see what the enemy says and does and then react; while effective media should act according to the needs of society and public opinion.
He emphasized: The main policy of Islamic media should be proactive, not reactive; that is, it should create a trend, have a plan, and guide public opinion.
Islamic media should be trend-making
Hosseini Mazari stated that the solution to overcome these problems is to act in accordance with all of Islam, to overcome conservatism, and to move proactively, and said: We must act in a way that crosses the line of conservatism and be present in the field explicitly, transparently, and clearly.
He added: Of course, in some cases, responding to the enemy's actions is also necessary, but the principle of policy-making should be based on proactive and trend-making movement.
We should not wake up after the martyrdom of the martyred leader of the nation
In the final part of his speech, the head of the Tebyan Center referred to the recent developments in the region and the martyrdom of the martyred leader of the nation and said: Many individuals, people and media movements who were conservative during his life, did not act according to his guidance and instructions, and sat on their hands, are not unaffected by the emergence of today's conditions.
He added: These individuals should not imagine that they have no responsibility; those who remained silent and did not fulfill their duty must be held accountable for this shortcoming.
Hosseini Mazari stated: Today, some say that after his martyrdom, what kind of mission was created in Iran and the world and what spontaneous movements were formed; but it must be asked at what price this mission was created?! Should we lose a figure like Imam Khamenei, may God bless him and grant him peace, in order to awaken the Islamic community?!
He continued: “He spoke, guided, guided, and showed the way during his lifetime, but many did not act according to those instructions and commands; only after his martyrdom did they realize his influence and position.”
The head of the Tebyan Center emphasized: “We should not wait for another leader to be martyred and then come to our senses again. Muslims should be actively present on the scene when their leaders are present and act according to their instructions.”
He said: “If the Muslim people, revolutionary movements, and provincial forces had acted according to the orders and instructions of the leader, many of the conditions that exist today in Iran, Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan would not have arisen.”
Hosseini Mazari concluded: “Although the enemy is on the wrong path, he moves with seriousness, planning, and using all means; Therefore, the Islamic community, whether Shia or Sunni, and all those who claim to be revolutionary, must move beyond conservatism and reactionary movements and present themselves in the field with a serious, active, and responsible presence.