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Words of Welcome MOHAMMAD KAZEM BOJNORDI Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia D istinguished participants and dear guests from abroad, we are grateful to you for accepting our invitation. We have gathered here today to declare that science is a gateway to dialogue, peace, and friendship. We have gathered together to praise and respect mankindâs achievements and to announce that science can facilitate rational human relationships and offer high quality of life to people everywhere. Scientists are among those social elites who define the cultural essence of each nationâs civili- zation, and their common language for explaining phenomena pro- vides the way for understanding among nations. We should learn this language from scientists and consider them to be the con- science of the greater society. In conclusion, I would once again like to extend my grati- tude to all distinguished participants for accepting our invitation, and I hope that this workshop will be a starting point for other con- ferences that convey a message of peace and understanding. Peace be upon you all. 1