Ecuador Hosts First Shia Academic Conference

Ecuador Hosts First Shia Academic Conference
————————————
The first Shia academic conference in Ecuador, dedicated to the study of the sciences and teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), was held with a strong turnout from scholars and university students.

Organized by the Imam Hussain for All Campaign, the event drew significant interest from Ecuador’s Shia community and academic circles. More than 200 university students and professors from various educational institutions attended, reflecting a growing scholarly interest in Ecuador in learning about the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).

The conference featured Qur’an recitation, academic and religious lectures, and presentations exploring the spiritual and ethical dimensions of Ahl al-Bayt teachings. Panel discussions also addressed the influence of these teachings on moral development and the strengthening of human relationships.

The opening ceremony included a recorded message from Ayatollah Sheikh Fadhel Saffar, a prominent scholar of advanced jurisprudence and principles in Karbala. In his message, he offered valuable scholarly and spiritual guidance to the participants.

Sayed Hussein Mousavi Ahwazi, director of the campaign, described the conference as a historic milestone for Ecuador, noting that it was the country’s first large-scale and formal Shia academic event. “The main goal is to introduce and explain the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt and to expand the intellectual and spiritual presence of this tradition in South America,” he said.

He added that the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt provide “a powerful moral and spiritual framework that can positively influence human relations and enhance social ethics.”

Participants welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the importance of such events in promoting religious awareness and strengthening cultural and academic ties between the Shia community and the broader scholarly environment in the region.