University of Religions and Denominations

Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) has garnered a considerable amount of attention lately due to its low production expenses, simplicity of manufacturing, safety, and environmental friendliness. It is a dependable method for creating a variety of nanostructures from fungal, plant, and bacterial extracts as well as hybrid materials, including metal salts. A viable and sustainable substitute for traditional synthesis methods is the green synthesis of NPs. According to recent research, NPs have very promising antiviral and antimicrobial capabilities. This article highlights the progress made in the green method for manufacturing NPs utilizing natural substances, including fruit juices, plant extracts, and other pertinent sources. A thorough understanding of these NPs' anticancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial abilities was presented. Numerous opportunities are presented by these NPs to combat potentially fatal viral and other antimicrobial diseases. This review provides readers with a grasp of the latest data and a variety of tactics for designing and developing advanced green nanomaterials using a more environmentally friendly approach. A summary is provided of the present difficulties, critical analysis, and prospects for the green synthesis of NPs as well as the potential for their innovative and successful investigation for biomedical applications. • Green synthesis of NPs is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and simple to produce. • Natural sources like plant extracts enable sustainable nanoparticle fabrication. • Green NPs show promising antiviral, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. • Challenges and future prospects highlight the potential of eco-friendly nanomedicine.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common brain-gut interaction disorders, characterized by chronic abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and heightened stress responses that significantly affect patients' psychological functioning and quality of life. Given that chronic stress plays a central role in the onset and maintenance of IBS symptoms, identifying psychological resources that promote adaptation and well-being is crucial. The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being among patients with IBS. This descriptive-correlational study employed a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population included all IBS patients who referred to the Gastrointestinal Health Center at Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan in 2024. A sample of 300 patients was selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Psychological Well-Being Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and analyzed using SPSS and AMOS version 28. Results showed that cognitive flexibility and resilience significantly predicted psychological well-being, and that resilience mediated the relationship between cognitive flexibility and psychological well-being. These findings highlight the importance of resilience and cognitive flexibility as protective psychological resources that help patients manage stress and improve well-being in the context of IBS.

The Revelation Spiritual Home. The Revival of African Indigenous Spirituality (Elements in New Religious Movements) by Massimo Introvigne and Rosita Šorytė. Cambridge University Press, 2025. ePDF. 84 pp. ISBN: 9781009630405 (Hb.); 9781009630375 (Pb.); 9781009630399 (ePDF)

The plague of 1896 AD/1314 AH was one of the most devastating epidemics in history that occurred in Bombay, India. This disease had a profound impact on human societies, particularly Islamic societies, and on the pilgrimage of Muslims between 1896 and 1899. This historical review study analyzed the consequences of the plague outbreak in Bombay, India, in 1896 AD/1314 AH on the pilgrimage process of Muslims in the mentioned year and the following years. This study also examined the type of exposure of Muslims to this disease and the restrictions imposed by the governments of the time. Data were collected from historical resources such as reports in Hajj travelogues, historical documents, Arabic press news, recent research by Western researchers, and scientific articles. The findings indicated that the ruling governments attempted to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce casualties by establishing and developing quarantine facilities, dispatching medical teams, shortening the permitted duration of pilgrims’ stay in Saudi Arabia, and persuading Muslims to forgo the Hajj pilgrimage. The success of these preventive measures hinged on two main factors: first, the necessary executive power to enforce restrictions, and second, the mitigation of economic insecurity for communities simultaneously affected by illness and pilgrimage. Furthermore, the acceptance of these limitations was significantly influenced by Muslim perceptions of the restrictions and their cultural and religious backgrounds.

Despite extensive global research on mothers' intentions regarding human milk banking (HMB), its acceptability remains underexplored in non-Western contexts, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. This study investigates barriers to HMB acceptability among nursing mothers in Iran through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), emphasizing how cultural, religious, and contextual factors intersect with maternal decision-making. A qualitative study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, between August and October 2024. Semi-structured interviews were held with twelve nursing mothers of premature infants unable to breastfeed. Data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-step approach, guided by SCT to capture the interplay between personal, behavioral, and environmental influences on mothers' decision-making regarding HMB. Rigorous strategies, including iterative coding and peer debriefing, were employed to ensure trustworthiness of the analysis. Three overarching themes emerged. Personal factors included emotional states, risk perceptions, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and religious beliefs and ethics. Behavioral factors comprised trust-based decision-making and past behavioral patterns, which shaped willingness to engage with HMB. Environmental factors involved institutional accessibility, social support systems, authoritative influence, and cultural norms. Findings revealed that mothers experienced emotional conflict, mistrust in milk safety, and religious concerns about milk kinship and halal practices. Institutional and logistical barriers, coupled with lack of family and community support, further reduced HMB acceptability. Nevertheless, participants emphasized that religious endorsements, transparent regulations, health professional guidance, and improved service accessibility could enhance trust and participation. This study highlights how reciprocal interactions among personal beliefs, behavioral patterns, and environmental contexts shape the acceptability of HMB among Iranian mothers. To improve uptake, culturally sensitive interventions are essential particularly those involving religious authorities, healthcare professionals, and awareness campaigns to address misconceptions and build trust. Strengthening institutional accessibility and transparency can further promote HMB as a viable feeding option. Future research should also examine the roles of socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and generational differences to broaden the evidence base for culturally adapted HMB policies in Muslim-majority contexts.

ABSTRACT The rise of media in the political arena has sparked debate among scholars regarding the media-politics relationship. Some argue that certain media outlets operate independently, free from the influence of power centers. Others contend that truly independent media is an illusion and that media often serve as tools for political agendas, especially during critical events like conflicts and wars, where media must align with governmental or organizational policies. This study explores this debate by examining coverage of the Israel-Iran confrontation by two major broadcasters-the American CNN and the Russian news agency TASS-through the lens of news framing theory. All news content from April 1 to April 11, 2024, was analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that TASS frames the conflict with the theme “fish in troubled water,” reflecting Russia's strategy to navigate Middle Eastern developments, while CNN adopts a theme of “full support for Israel against Iran,” consistent with U.S. policy. Distinct linguistic strategies were identified: TASS uses diplomatic language aimed at Eastern audiences, whereas CNN employs emotive rhetoric targeted at Western viewers. This comparative analysis contributes to understanding how state-run and private media frame international conflicts and highlights the complex interplay of media ownership, journalistic culture, and geopolitical interests.

يعد هذا البحث مهمًا لدراسة تاريخ الشيعة الزيدية والاسماعيلية, وعقائدهم، وأحداثهم التاريخية، وكيفية تعامل الطبري مع هذه الموضوعات يهدف هذا البحث إلى استخراج المعلومات المتعلقة بالشيعة الزيدية والاسماعيلية من كتاب "تاريخ الرسل والملوك" للطبري.و يعد هذا الكتاب مصدرًا هامًا للبحث حول هذه الموضوعات بسبب شموليته واعتماده على مصادر متنوعة وموثوقة.إن سبب اختيار كتاب تاريخ الطبري للبحث عن الشيعة الزيدية والاسماعيلية يرجع لأسباب عديدة أهمها أ: شمول كتاب تاريخ الطبري لأكبر عدد من الأخبار. ب: كونه من المؤلفات المتقدمة والمصدرية. ج: لأنه تناول الشيعة كمذهب وشخصيات وحوادث وما يتعلق بهم. ح: والنقطة الهامة هي كون الطبري ليس بشيعي المذهب وقد نقل أخبار الشيعة من خلال مصادر ورؤية ليست بشيعية وإنما تمثل وجة نظر الحاكم أو المذاهب الأخرى عن الشيعة. أما المقصود من الشيعة هنا بالخصوص فهم الشيعة الامامية دون غيرهم لأن الشيعة عدة اتجاهات أو مذاهب أبرزها الامامية وهم أتباع الامام علي والحسن والحسين والتسعة المعصومين من ولد الحسين عليهم السلام. اما بنسبه لشیعة الزيدية وهم الذين افترقوا عن الامامية بأنهم اتبعوا زيد بن علي بن الحسين الشهيد عليهم السلام وما بعده من الائمة الزيدية دون أئمة أهل البيت عليهم السلام اما بنسبة لفرقة الإسماعيلية هم أتباع إسماعيل بن الامام جعفر الصادق عليه السلام من بعده أي أنهم لا يرجعون الى الامام الكاظم عليه السلام لكن كلا الفرقتين لهما تأثير كبير في العالم الإسلامي، ولا سيما في المناطق التي يتواجدون فيها. يعتبرون أنفسهم جزءًا من التراث الشيعي، ويعتقدون أن إمامتهم هي الإمامة الشرعية. على الرغم من هذه الفرق، يعتبر كلا الفرقتين نفسهما جزءًا من التراث الشيعي، ويحتفظون بتقاليد وثقافة مشتركة. بعد ما تقدم يمكن القول بأن المراد في هذا البحث هو كشف واستخراج ما يتعلق بالشيعة الزیدية والاسماعيلية في كتاب تاريخ الطبري.