The First International Conference on Religious Studies, organized by the **Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities (MBZUH)** in the historic Italian city of Padua, has officially concluded, marking a significant milestone in global interfaith dialogue. Held on October 2nd and 3rd under the theme *”Religion and Shared Humanity: Contemporary Approaches in Theology and Religious Studies,”* the event brought together world-class scholars to bridge the gap between faith and modern scholarship.
As reported by **Business Promotion24**, this landmark conference was held in collaboration with the University of Padua and the University of Eastern Piedmont. The gathering emphasized that shared religious values are essential in preserving human dignity and fostering peace across different beliefs.
### **Seven Principal Recommendations for a Shared Future**
The conference concluded with a final statement outlining seven transformative recommendations designed to advance the field of religious studies and social cohesion:
1. **Launching a Religious Common Ground Project:** Creating a unified platform for dialogue.
2. **Expanding Academic Exchange:** Strengthening ties through joint scholarly publications and faculty movement.
3. **Developing Translation Pathways:** Ensuring specialized research reaches a global audience through professional translation.
4. **Establishing a Recurring Conference Date:** Setting a fixed annual or biennial schedule with a fresh academic theme for every edition.
5. **Ethical Frameworks for Artificial Intelligence:** Developing AI guidelines grounded in shared human and religious values.
6. **Strengthening University-Society Connections:** Encouraging academic institutions to solve real-world societal challenges.
7. **Scopus-Indexed Publishing:** Ensuring outstanding conference papers are published in international, peer-reviewed journals.
### **A Convergence of Global Minds**
The opening session featured prominent figures, including **Dr. Omar Habtour Al Darei**, Chairman of the MBZUH Board of Trustees, who highlighted the university’s role as a space for reflection and knowledge production. He noted that the study of religions is a scholarly responsibility that helps dismantle stereotypes and build trust in an era of rapid technological change.
Other keynote speakers included Professor Menico Rizzi (Rector of the University of Eastern Piedmont), Professor Marco Ferrante (Vice Rector of the University of Padua), and Professor Nazir Ayyad (Grand Mufti of Egypt). The rigorous academic nature of the event was reflected in the selection process: only 34 research papers were chosen from over 700 proposals, representing scholars from 15 different nationalities.
### **Deep Dives into Contemporary Theology**
Across seven academic sessions, participants explored the intersection of religion with philosophy, anthropology, and science. A particularly notable session addressed the existential questions raised by **Artificial Intelligence**, urging for a human-centric approach to technological advancement. Other sessions focused on “Epistemic Humility” and moving religious principles from sacred texts into practical daily responsibilities.
The conference reaffirmed that peace is a shared responsibility. At **Business Promotion24**, we recognize that such international collaborations are vital for fostering a culture of respect and understanding in our increasingly interconnected world. By connecting research to human challenges, MBZUH and its Italian partners are paving the way for a more harmonious future.
