Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) - Ayatollah Alireza Arafi released a statement to mark the ‘Week of Research’, in his message he emphasized on the Quranic verses highlighting the importance of literacy; he also urged scientific centers to make efforts in order to enhance the seminary student’s research literacy.

The text of the message is as follows:

“Allah will raise up in ranks those who believed among you and those who have been given knowledge. Allah is Aware of what you do.” (58:11)

This week which is called ‘the Week of Research’ marks the significance of literacy and education, Allah (swt) has said in the holy book of Quran:  

“Noon. By the Pen and that (the angels) write” (68:1)

We begin this week by commemorating all those who made endeavors to tear down the fortress of arrogance through their penmanship; we honor those who sacrificed their lives to strengthen the very foundation of knowledge and scientific research.

Today, the Islamic Seminary seeks to establish a global Islamic civilization based on wisdom and logic; the foundations of such global civilization rest on the valuable legacy of Islamic scholars as well as Ayatollah Khamenei's guidelines which are all originated from a divine ideology.

The responsibility to continue and to progress this great mission lies on the shoulders of the scientific elites and scholars of the Islamic seminary; they must draw an appropriate strategy and a deep analysis of current world's conditions to familiarize those who seek truth with the real taste of religious wisdom.

The Islamic Seminaries value this amazing opportunity created by the victory of Islamic Revolution; it provided a chance to promote the genuine teachings of Islam worldwide, scholars must make sincere efforts to tackle the issues of religious ignorance and atheism until the end of time.

On the one hand, the Islamic seminaries are bound to develop new technologies and communicative strategies to fight the enemies’ misgivings regarding Islam and also to carry out their global mission: on the other hand, the world is currently in need of pure Ahl al-Bayt (as) teachings and the seminaries already feel the urge to keep up with this fast-paced trend of scientific achievements worldwide through a Jihadi spirit and by designing an intelligent research agenda.

The top priorities of Islamic seminaries which need to be properly addressed include, making efforts in planning a comprehensive research agenda, increasing the scientific literacy of seminary students in all levels of their educational training, establishing a research-based educational system, distinguishing exceptional talents in Islamic seminaries and designing special training courses to suit their needs, developing scientific and cultural cooperation with other decision-making centers in the society, enhancing the revolutionary spirit among seminary students, adhering to Islamic values in all seminary programs and activities, increasing the students’ critical thinking abilities in order to foster a competitive atmosphere among them in scientific settings; such issues must be taken care of by the efforts of officials, experts as well as executives who are involved in seminary activities.

Through prayers to Allah almighty and listening to the  guidelines of Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei as well as remarks of other Shia sources of emulation we would be able to pave the way for Islamic seminaries’ active presence in global arenas more than ever before, we hope for seminaries’ further scientific achievements in research areas in future.

Alireza Arafi