Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) - In a meeting with Hujjat al-Islam Haj Ali Akbari, head of the Policy Council for Friday Prayers' Leaders, Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi referred to the significance of Friday prayer in Islam and said, "Friday prayer is a very great asset that had been neglected and its values had been denied for a long time, but thanks God, Islamic Revolution revived Friday prayers in Iran."

The revered source of emulation noted that Islam pays special attention to communities and called Friday prayer Islam's invention that was only made possible by the Divine revelation.

Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi went on to say, "Friday prayers should make people move towards solving social problems."

The Shia scholar added, "Quranic verses, Hadiths and narrations, Islam's history and needs of the society should be noted in the sermons. Friday leaders must study new materials for sermons every week."

His Eminence wished success for the new head of the Policy Council for Friday Prayers' Leaders and expressed hope that he will create an evolution in the cultural matters of Friday.