I.M.A.M’s Participation in the Parallel Event at the 2025 ECOSOC Partnership Forum

February 4, 2025

On February 4, 2025, a representative from the I.M.A.M. Organization, an NGO with consultative status at ECOSOC, took part in a Parallel Event during the 2025 ECOSOC Partnership Forum at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Inspired by the verses of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) and the Imams (p), I.M.A.M. recognizes the crucial role of education in the advancement of both individuals and society. As part of its commitment to promoting education, I.M.A.M. actively engages in international initiatives, activities, and meetings on education, including those organized by the United Nations and its specialized institutions such as UNESCO.

During the discussions and exchanges at the event, I.M.A.M.’s representative referred to the Quranic verse of Nafar, which encourages qualified individuals to travel in pursuit of knowledge and emphasizes that others should benefit from their learning, “And it is not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them that they might be cautious” (9:122). Additionally, he highlighted the well-known hadith, “Seek knowledge, even as far as China.”

He reminded participants that at the time of the Prophet (pbuh&hp), China was considered one of the most distant lands from Medina; yet the Prophet (pbuh&hp) encouraged people to travel there for the sake of learning. This underscores the Islamic perspective that education transcends borders and cultures.

Furthermore, the representative cited additional narrations that emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge, even in difficult circumstances, “Seek knowledge even if it requires plunging into the depths of the sea and sacrificing lives ” (Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 277, hadith 113). Another narration states, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation in every situation” (Al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 1, p. 172, hadith 27).

I.M.A.M.’s representative also referenced Imam al-Sadiq’s saying, “Wisdom is the lost treasure of the believer; wherever one of you finds it, let him take it” (Al-Kulayni, Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 167, hadith 168).

He emphasized that, unfortunately, in some cases, misguided approaches have led to the exclusion of girls and women from education in certain parts of the Islamic world. Denying half of society access to education is fundamentally inconsistent with the teachings of the Quran, the Prophet (pbuh&hp), and the Imams (pbut).

Additionally, he cited another saying of Imam Ali (p), highlighting the need for adapting education to modern times, “Do not force your children to adopt your manners, for they have been created for a time different from yours” (Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Sharh Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 20, p. 267).

In this context, he stressed the importance of adapting to modern advancements in education, including interactive learning methods, distance education, and the use of artificial intelligence in teaching.

I.M.A.M’s participation in this UN event reaffirmed its dedication to advocating for education as a universal and cross-cultural priority, in alignment with Islamic principles. The organization remains committed to contributing to global discussions on education and ensuring that access to knowledge remains an essential right for all.