Hawzah News Agency- The opening ceremony began with remarks from the Representative of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Africa. Following his address, Allah Akbari, Director General of Public Relations at Al-Mustafa International University, delivered a speech in which he offered condolences on the anniversary of the passing of Hazrat Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her).
Highlighting the gravity of the media landscape, Mr. Akbari stated that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has repeatedly described cyberspace as a “battlefield,” underscoring its strategic significance at a level comparable to the Islamic Revolution itself.
“This perspective alone,” he said, “demonstrates the great importance of such training programs and the need to acquire essential skills for an active and effective presence in the digital world.”
He noted that while traditional platforms—such as the pulpit and face-to-face preaching—retain their value, digital tools now allow messages to reach millions across continents. “These tools are available today,” he emphasized, “and it is our responsibility to produce meaningful content and deliver it properly to global audiences.”
Mr. Akbari added that Al-Mustafa International University is honored to host the participants and, through cooperation with African students, aims to develop practical skill-based programs that move toward producing tangible, high-quality media outcomes.
Establishment of the Africa House at the Qom Art Center
Speaking next, Hojatoleslam Mousavi—course organizer and a senior official at the Qom Art Center—highlighted the significant cultural and intellectual potential present among African students in Qom.
“In line with this unique capacity,” he announced, “the Africa House was established within the Qom Art Center, leading to multiple preparatory meetings and ultimately to the launch of this specialized skills course.”
He recalled the words of the Leader of the Revolution, who emphasized that non-Iranian students in Iran should not be regarded as guests, but as hosts.
“We are committed,” he said, “to equipping African students with the necessary tools and skills to play an influential cultural role in their societies. With God’s help, the media and cyberspace training program will formally begin tomorrow.”
Hojatoleslam Mousavi added that participants will undergo talent assessment, after which supplementary courses will be organized based on their individual strengths and capacities.
Media Working Group: A Key Pillar of Africa House Initiatives
In his remarks, Rezaei, the head of Africa House, explained that while previous media programs for African students were held in Tehran, the Leader’s recent appointment of his special representative for Africa had marked a turning point, ushering in a new phase of coordinated activity.
He emphasized the potential for effective cooperation between Africa House, the Art Center, and Al-Mustafa University.
“Al-Mustafa has created a highly supportive environment for African students,” he said. “Cultural institutions must utilize this strong foundation in accordance with the directives of the Leader of the Revolution.”
Rezaei stressed that the media working group constitutes one of the most important branches of Africa House activity, expressing hope for stronger collaboration with other centers active in digital and cultural production.
“Every Al-Mustafa Student Is a Religious Media Capacity in His Region”
In the final segment of the ceremony, Mr. Hojjati, Head of the Islamic Research Department at Qom Broadcasting, introduced the curriculum and objectives of the new course.
He underscored that effective audio media is fundamentally rooted in strong writing.
“In today’s world,” he said, “those who master text-based media thinking will ultimately prevail in the field.”
Referring to extensive cyberspace training programs previously conducted at Qom Broadcasting, he noted that many alumni—both women and men—have become distinguished figures in digital media activity over the past two years.
Mr. Hojjati emphasized that each Al-Mustafa student possesses the potential to serve as a “religious media ambassador” in his or her home country. He explained that the four-week course will cover:
- communication and interpersonal media skills,
- understanding modern media frameworks,
- creative ideation for content production,
- audience research and targeting,
- introduction to audio production and editing tools,
- on-site visits to media production environments,
- and collective critique and review of participants’ media projects.
The ceremony concluded with officials expressing hope that the program will strengthen media competencies, enhance cultural outreach, and expand the influence of student-led initiatives across the African continent.
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