According to the Public Relations Department of Qom University, the National Conference on Islamic Economics, focusing on addressing the fundamental challenges of Iran's economy with an emphasis on Inflation Control and production growth, was held in collaboration with approximately 15 universities and research centers, including Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Jameat al-Mostafa, the Management Center of Seminaries, Imam Sadiq University, Islamic Sciences University of Mashhad, the Economic Affairs Research Institute of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, the Planning and Budget Organization, Qom University, Qom Branch of Islamic Azad University, Mofid University, the Cooperation Headquarters of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance and the Seminary, and Farhang and Andisheh University at Qom University.

 

During the conference, four specialized panels and a closing panel were presented. In the opening panel, Dr. Saeidi-Roshan, the head of the Seminary and University Research Institute, Dr. Mostafa Kamy, the scientific secretary of the conference, Dr. Saeid Shavalpour, the Economic Deputy of the Planning and Budget Organization, Dr. Hassan Sobhani, and Dr. Mohammad Javad Tavakoli delivered speeches. Dr. Hassan Sobhani addressed the topic of economics in turmoil and its relation to poverty in the realm of economic knowledge, while Dr. Mohammad Javad Tavakoli discussed infrastructural challenges in controlling inflation and promoting production from the perspective of Islamic economics.

 

Panel two included a speech by Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, a member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom and the President of the University of Osoul-eddin. Dr. Abbas Shafiei Nejad discussed the channels of influence of exchange rate fluctuations on production levels and inflation, as well as strategies for controlling exchange rate fluctuations. Dr. Ali Saeidi elaborated on the feasibility of production growth and its impact on inflation control in the Iranian economy. Dr. Omid Izanlou presented an empirical study on the Iranian economy, examining the convergence and divergence between liquidity and inflation, and providing policy recommendations. Finally, Dr. Seyed Ali Rohani, the Deputy for Policy Planning at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, delivered a speech.

 

The third panel of the Conference on Islamic Economics addressed the central role of credit in achieving public participation in the growth of production in the Iranian economy, with a speech by Dr. Morteza Mortazavi. Dr. Vahid Arshadi discussed the relationship between banking ownership and inflation rates, as well as its implications for interest rate changes. Additionally, Dr. Abdullah Tavakoli highlighted the participation of stakeholders in risk management and their contribution to solving economic problems in Iran. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Mohammad Nemati, a faculty member of Imam Sadiq University, also delivered a speech in this panel.

 

The fourth panel of this conference commenced with a speech by Dr. Seyed Reza Hosseini, addressing the Islamic economic solutions for resolving the imbalance issues of pension funds. Dr. Ali Mohammad Hakimian discussed the reduction of government intervention in the oil industry with a focus on legal regulations. Furthermore, Dr. Majid Habibian delivered a speech on the application of commodity-based sukuk (Sukuk denotes to Islamic financial instruments and is roughly equivalent to the Englishcheque) in risk coverage under inflationary conditions.

 

In the closing panel of the National Conference on Islamic Economics, Dr. Mohammad Manan Reisi, the representative of the people of Qom in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and Dr. Mohammad Sharbati, an economist and university lecturer, delivered speeches.

 

The issue of Islamic economics is an intersection of research between seminaries and universities.

In this conference, Dr. Yaghoub Norouzi, the Vice President for Research and Technology at Qom University, stated: "This conference was supposed to be held last year based on the slogan of the year, but due to the lengthy licensing process, it was held this year."

 

He added, "I hope that the discussions raised in this conference can provide solutions to the country's economic problems and challenges, and as mentioned, addressing these issues can be achieved in many aspects through public participation."

 

The Vice President for Research and Technology at Qom University stated: One of the topics that serves as a research intersection between seminaries and universities is Islamic economics. The second National Conference on Islamic Economics, emphasizing this year's slogan of "Surge in Production through People’s Participation," will be held in the upcoming year with the assistance of scholars.

 

The Scientific Secretary of the National Conference on Islamic Economics also stated during the event: The process of obtaining conference permits has been completed through the ISC (Islamic World Science Citation Center) Headquarters in Shiraz, and ultimately, the National Conference on Islamic Economics and the Fundamental Challenges of the Iranian Economy has been registered and indexed in the ISC.

 

He added: This conference consisted of two pre-conference sessions. The first session was held at the Seminary and University Research Institute, focusing on the effects of exchange rate fluctuations on inflation. The second session took place at Qom University. Additionally, the Book of Abstracts of this conference has been compiled and published, with seven articles being original contributions and the rest being commissioned articles. It can be downloaded from the main website of the Seminary and University Research Institute.

 

Dr. Mohammad Manan Reisi, the representative of the people of Qom in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, also addressed the issue, stating: Islamic economics and Islamic urban planning are different facets of Islamic civilization, and they can only be realized when the people are aware of them. The path for people's involvement in the economy must be found in accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Leader.

 

In conclusion, he stated: Allowing people to participate in financial transactions and various sectors can guide society towards Islamic civilization. If everything is merely modeled after the West, the Revolution will not be genuine. The necessary means to rescue ourselves from this situation lie within the realm of knowledge, namely the seminary and the university, so that we can be filled with knowledge and establish proper governance.

 

Presenting statistics and figures on the declining trend of inflation does not solve any problems.

Dr. Mohammad Sharbati, an economist, emphasized: One of the discussions in the field of economics revolves around the statistics and figures presented by officials. However, these statistics and figures have no impact on the daily lives of people, and simply discussing inflation reduction and economic growth through statistics and figures does not provide a remedy for the economy and people's lives.

 

He added: One of the key problems we face in the country's economy, which is still widely discussed, is the issue of dollarization. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has repeatedly emphasized the need to take action against the dollarization that has infiltrated our economy and to achieve a new development in the country's monetary foundation.

 

Dr. Rohani, the Deputy for Policy-planning at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, also stated in this session: Achieving a surge in production through people's participation requires fundamental strategies, including inter-sectoral strategies and strategies from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance.

 

According to statistics, Iran has not experienced significant growth compared to similar countries in the past fifteen years. The presented statistics indicate a growth rate of only twenty percent, which is relatively low.

 

The main problem in our society lies in the cultural and economic sectors.

In this symposium, Dr. Mohammad Bagher Saeidi-Roshan, the head of the Research Institute of Seminary and University, stated: Despite significant advancements observed in scientific and other areas, there are weaknesses in the fields of economy and culture.

 

He stated: We need to identify the specific areas and types of intellectual, epistemological, capital, human, or severe debt poverty that hinder positive economic progress. By doing so, we can address the root of the problem and propose solutions accordingly.

 

The head of the Research Institute of Seminary and University emphasized: From a religious perspective, economic and financial culture is considered part of the spiritual path towards monotheism in the world's arena. It is necessary to move in a specific direction for interaction with Islamic concepts.

 

Solving economic problems depends on realizing the true value of money.

Additionally, in this symposium, Ayatollah Araki stated: The basis of the value of money is political power, not real economic value. Since the power behind such money can change its value at any time, this money is not economic but political, which is forbidden in Islam. The real money accepted for transactions in Islam is either gold or silver. The country's economic problem will be solved when we make money real.

 

One of the most important topics of exchange is money.

Ayatollah Araki stated: Money is the means of exchange that largely shapes the foundation of exchange in the market. When we understand that money means an intermediary for exchange, we can deduce that its function is primarily twofold: determining the value of the goods being exchanged or serving as a measure of value, and facilitating exchange. Without an intermediary, exchange becomes slow and difficult. Gold and silver are the best intermediaries for creating stability, justice, and a rapid process in the market.

 

This member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom continued: Credit money is illegitimate in Islamic economics unless it is adopted by the government as a credit for emergencies. The intermediary between two commodities must have real and consumable value itself. The existence of a rational benefit determines the recognized extent of ownership. There are two types of value in economics: consumption value and exchange value. Consumption value means meeting ordinary needs, while exchange value raises the question of what this commodity can be exchanged for.

 

It should be noted that universities and scientific centers participating in this symposium presented their own published books and achievements in the field of Islamic economics through various booths.