On the eve of the International Conference “Construction, Development, and Reconstruction of the Holy Shrines through History” (hosted by the University of Isfahan), the Social Security Association, in collaboration with Ahl al-Bayt University and the University of Isfahan, held a pre-conference and academic session titled: “The Role of the Holy Shrines in Establishing Social Security” in March 2025. Session Chair Dr. Basem al-ʿUqabi (Administrative Vice President, Ahl al-Bayt University & President, Social Security Association) Keynote Speaker Dr. Mohsen Qazvini (Founder of Ahl al-Bayt University)

Speakers and Topics: Dr. Abbas Sarafrāzī Topic: The Role of Iranians in the Reconstruction of the Holy Shrines Dr. Alireżā Ruhī Topic: The Status and Role of the Safavids in the Reconstruction and Development of the Holy Shrines Dr. Asghar Montazer-al-Qā’em Topic: The Urban Fabric of Najaf before Shaykh Ṭūsī

Fifth Pre-Conference of the International Congress “Construction, Development, and Reconstruction of the Holy Shrines through History” (Organized by the University of Isfahan in Collaboration with the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute) The Cultural Role of Shaykh Ṭūsī in the Reconstruction of the Holy Shrines Presenter: Dr. Asghar Montazer-al-Qā’em (Faculty Member, Department of History, University of Isfahan) The Iranian Cultural Approach to Rebuilding the Holy Shrines Based on the Inscriptions of the Ḥaram of ʿAlī (ʿAlayhi al-Salām) Presenter: Dr. Mohammad-Hossein Nejāti (Faculty Member, University al-Musṭafa)

Speakers and Lecture Titles: Dr. Mehdi Mojtahedi (Faculty Member, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad) Lecture Title: Badr al‐Dīn Luʾluʾ and the Expansion of Shīʿī Shrines in the Seventh Century AH Dr. Taher Babāʾī (Faculty Member, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad) Lecture Title: The Role of the Ottoman Government in the Reconstruction and Development of Shīʿī Sites in Karbala Abd al‐Hādi Jāberī (PhD Student in History and Civilization of Islamic Nations, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad) Lecture Title: A Study of Saʿd Māhir’s Research on the Shrine of Imam ʿAlī (ʿAlayhi al-Salām) Dr. Asghar Montazer-al-Qā’em (Professor of History, University of Isfahan) Lecture Title: The Cultural Conditions of Najaf up to the Fifth Century AH

Participants and Lecture Titles: Dr. Mehdi Sahra-Gard (Faculty Member, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad) Lecture Title: A Reflection on the Kufi Inscription of the Safavid Mosque in Kāẓimayn Dr. Mortezā Enferādi (Head of the Social Studies of the Sacred Precincts Group, Islamic Research Foundation) Lecture Title: The Importance of the Sacred Precincts among Muslims from the Perspective of Islamic Sources Hujjat al-Islām wal-Muslimeen Seyyed Reżā Shirāzi (Faculty Member, Research Institute of the Islamic Research Foundation) Lecture Title: Ziyārah across History: Beyond the Boundaries of a Single Discipline Dr. Abolfazl Hasan-Ābādi (Director of Manuscripts, Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi) Lecture Title: The Importance of Memoir-Writing in Cultural Relations between Iran and the Holy Shrines Session Moderator: Dr. Asghar Montazer-al-Qā’em (Professor of History, University of Isfahan) Lecture Title: The Economic Conditions of Najaf up to the Eighth Century AH Date & Time: Thursday, 4 Bahman 1403 (January 24, 2025) ⎯ 09:00 to 11:30 Location: Mashhad, Haram Mutaḥhar Reżavi, Tabarsi Turnaround, Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi, Sheikh Bahā’ī Hall

The second pre-conference on the construction, development, and reconstruction of the Holy Shrines was held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 14:00 in the conference hall of Shahid Bahonar Farhangian University, with the presence of Dr. Ali-Akbar Kajbāf, President of Farhangian University of Isfahan, and speeches by several university professors.

Dr. Hossein Harsij, President of the University of Isfahan, stated: “We hope that, given the approach the university has adopted, it will be able—both scientifically and culturally—to assist the Headquarters for the Development and Reconstruction of the Holy Shrines and play a commensurate role. The President of the University of Isfahan went on to say that the martyr Commando Haj Qasem Soleimani was the founder of the Holy Shrines Headquarters, and through his efforts he succeeded in strengthening Iran–Iraq solidarity. Beyond the foregoing, the mutual impacts of Iran–Iraq solidarity encompass many different aspects that must be addressed.”

First Pre-Conference titled “Role of Iranians in the Development and Reconstruction of the Holy Shrines” Speakers: Dr. Asghar Qaedan, Professor at the University of Tehran Topic: The Role of Iranian Women from the Safavid to Qajar Eras in Reconstructing the Holy Shrines Prof. ‘Īsā Ḥakīm, Former President of the University of Kufa Topic: The Scientific Flourishing of Najaf in the Fifth Century AH Dr. Hossein Harsij, President of the University of Isfahan Topic: Mutual Impacts of Iranian–Iraqi Solidarity Dr. Ali-Akbar Kajbāf, President of the University of Farhangian Topic: The Political and Social Role of the Safavids in Najaf al-Ashraf Dr. Asghar Montazer-al-Qā’em, Professor at the University of Isfahan Topic: An Overview of Najaf al-Ashraf’s Cultural Conditions in the Eighth Century AH

During a press conference, the head of the Holy Shrines Development and Reconstruction Headquarters in Isfahan province highlighted the significant achievements of the organization in various fields, including religious, cultural, political, economic, and security aspects. Jafar Asgari, noting the organization's 18-year history, emphasized that over 216 projects have been implemented to enhance the shrine of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) in Iraq. These projects showcase unique Iranian cultural, artistic, and architectural works.

According to the Rasa News Agency in Isfahan, Hossein Hersij, the head of Isfahan University, stated in a press conference at the international conference on the role of Iranians in the development and reconstruction of holy shrines, that we should appreciate the martyrs, especially martyr Haj Qasem Soleimani, who brought security to us. He said: The presence and sacrifice of the martyrs have enabled us to visit the holy shrines today and play a role in the reconstruction of these sacred places. Haj Qasem Soleimani was the founder of the Headquarters for the Reconstruction of the Holy Shrines and he paid special attention to facilitating the travel of pilgrims to the pilgrimage sites and holy shrines.