Abrahamic religions are highly committed to the creation of a just polity on earth. This policy would reflect their doctrinal emphases on fairness in politics, economy, and society as a whole. As the Muslim community witnesses the unfolding of intra-/interfaith conflicts, understanding the position of Islam on ethics and justice is a burning issue. What does Islam teach about a just polity? What are the ways through which Islamic teachings about justice and ethics can be practically implemented?

Ethics in this conference serves to underscore applied ethics in all areas of human interaction. The Islamic notion of justice is not to be approached as an abstraction. From a Shi‘i perspective, the Imams further elaborated the ethics of just human relationships.

To realize such justice in all spheres of social life, what kind of ethical values should be promoted? What models are there from the Ahl al-Bayt, particularly Imam ‘Ali al-Ridha, in providing the setting for coexistence among different religions? How can this model contribute to the establishment of a model based justice and ethics?

Participants are encouraged to frame their views in the light of Twelver Shia Islam, and how it views ethics and justice. Discussions may be directed, but are not limited, to one of the following panels:

1. Islamic (re)sources for justice and ethics

2. Justice and ethics from the perspective of theology, jurisprudence, and philosophy

3. Islamic ethical discourse and legal justice discourse

4. The ethics of dialogue/coexistence in the teachings of ‘Ali b. Mūsa al-Ridha

5. Justice and the civilizational interaction of Islam with other civilizations

6. Mashhad as a source of cultural unity and Islamic spirituality

The following keynote and guest speakers will discuss their views in various panels,

1. Prof. John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, (keynote)

2. Prof. Andrew J. Newman, The University of Edinburgh, (keynote)

3. Prof. Abdulaziz Sachedina, George Mason University, (keynote)

4. Prof. Heidi Hadsell, Hartford Seminary, (keynote)

5. Prof. Jochen Schmidt, Paderborn University, (guest)

6. Prof. Edward Alam, Notre Dame University, (guest)

7. Dr. Ali Reza Bhojani, Al-Mahdi Institute, (guest)