Eurasia Press & News
On the auspicious occasion of the Eid al-Ghadir, the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received the staff and students of Imam Sadeq (greetings be upon him) University on Thursday, January 19.
Speaking at the meeting, the Leader congratulated the audience on the auspicious occasion and described the divine appointment of a successor to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his infallible household) as a propitious and prudent measure that could have put an end to the historical afflictions of mankind, including injustice, discrimination and poverty.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that if divine ordinance regarding the successor to the holy Prophet had been enforced, the history of mankind would indeed have taken a different course, and nations would not be afflicted by so many sufferings and problems today.
“If the divine miracle of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his infallible household), namely the establishment of an Islamic community under the most difficult circumstances in the history of mankind, had been preserved and improved quantitatively and qualitatively by the infallible Imams (greetings be upon them) for several consecutive generations, today human beings would not be suffering from their longstanding afflictions, including the non-fulfilment of their basic requirements, any longer, and they would instead be living a prosperous and enjoyable life,” Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic expounded on the course of action that should be adopted by students. Referring to the high status of knowledge and its attainment in Islam, he described the pursuit of knowledge at its highest level as the major duty of all students and academics.
Ayatollah Khamenei told the gathering that scientific power would result in economic, political and cultural power. He also pointed out that domineering countries are politically abusing their scientific power.
“Elucidating the rightful and legitimate claims of the Iranian nation to international community and following up the goals and ideals of the Islamic Revolution necessitate Iran’s scientific power in the first place. Thus, it is the duty of all universities and students to make an earnest effort to fill the scientific gap currently existing between our country and the scientifically advanced countries,” the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to losing self-confidence and self-alienation in the face of the West’s scientific progress as the root cause of scientific retardation. He advised the students to rely on great Islamic-Iranian intellectual-cultural heritage and do their utmost to upgrade the humanities and basic sciences in Iranian academic centers.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader expressed his appreciation for the valuable efforts made by the chancellor of Imam Sadeq (greetings be upon him) University, Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi-Kani, to establish a motivated, determined and foresighted higher education center. He also stressed that Imam Sadeq (greetings be upon him) University shoulders the responsibility to present a model of an Islamic university.
As regards the characteristics of an Islamic university, Ayatollah Khamenei rejected the attitude of those who regard the appearance, dress and conduct of students as the only criteria in this respect. He stated that an Islamic university is the one which serves as a model in terms of motives and incentives inspired by religious faith and also in terms of fondness for and dedicated and earnest pursuit of knowledge.
The Leader emphasized that presenting the essence of pure Islam dressed in the decorous garb of science is one of the most important duties of Imam Sadeq (greetings be upon him) University. He also referred to the attempts made by arrogant powers to influence the elites and intellectuals of Islamic societies and segregate them from the common people.
“The proper combination of religion and science is what the human society mostly lacks at the present age. An Islamic university in the one which teaches the most advanced sciences and by incorporating science and spirituality presents a proper and dynamic model to the human society,” the Leader pointed out.
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that Imam Sadeq (greetings be upon him) University should aim to become one of the major scientific and research centers in the world. In particular, he stressed that the university should give an impetus to humanity sciences and train dedicated scholars in various humanity courses.
Before the Leader’s statements, the chancellor of Imam Sadeq (greetings be upon him) University, Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi-Kani, expounded on the efforts made by university professors and instructors to scientifically elucidate the social and economic concepts of Islam and also train competent scientific personalities.
Furthermore, a number of university instructors and students spoke at the meeting and expressed their views on various issues.
