On July 9th following the invitation of Atlantic Council Dr. Iravani, attended a second series of “public hearings” convened by Co-Chairs, Secretary Albright and Stephen Hadley. The hearing was on the role religion does or does not play in the current disorder in the region: the civil wars, the phenomena of radicalization, and increased sectarian tensions. The event had the theme “What’s Religion Got to Do with It?” The point was to explore to what extent religion or politics (or something else entirely) is the main driver – and, to illuminate how religion is often instrumentalized by extremists for political purposes.
There was an Iftar reception immediately afterward and Dr. Iravani talked about the significance of Ramadan and the Iftar to the Washington policy crowd.
Iravani said that In Islam, the way He sees and understands it: all the rituals and laws and regulations related to them are means to an end and a goal. That goal is to become a better person and become closer to God in way that he or she will manifest Absolut Good.
He also talked about ritual and social dimension of fasting and at the end prayed for peace and prosperity in the world in particular for a good agreement based on respect, dignity and trust between Iran and the USA.