Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at a ceremony to honor the outgoing president and introduce the new president of the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences in Iran, Hojatoleslam Marvi underscored that scientific centers under the auspices of Astan Quds Razavi hold a distinguished status due to their attribution to the luminous presence of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (PBUH). "This very attribution doubles the responsibility of these institutions," he stated.
Extending the Civilization-Building Role of Imam Ridha (PBUH)
The Custodian, who also serves as a member of the Supreme Council of the Khorasan Seminary, defined the mission of the university as the explication and representation of the civilization-building role of Imam Ridha (PBUH). He noted that the blessed presence of the Imam in Khorasan sparked extensive scientific, cultural, and literary transformations across the Islamic world, adding that this immense capacity requires greater research, reexamination, and elucidation.
Referencing the theological debates of Imam Ridha (PBUH), Hojatoleslam Marvi observed that although these scholarly sessions were convened with the corrupt motives of Ma'mun, they ultimately showcased the divine and scientific stature of the eighth Imam and served to illuminate the truths of Islamic teachings.
"The philosophy underpinning the establishment of academic centers affiliated with Astan Quds Razavi is the continuation of the civilizational role of Imam Ridha (PBUH)," he stressed. "The Razavi University of Islamic Sciences must serve as an extension of this civilizational presence in Islamic society through innovation, transformation, and the cultivation of righteous and elite forces."
Civilizational Presence Must Not Be Confined to the Past
Marvi asserted that the civilizational presence of Imam Ridha (PBUH) must not be perceived as a matter confined to history; rather, it must manifest more prominently and effectively in human society with each passing day. He described transformation, quality enhancement, and the active role of Astan Quds Razavi's scientific centers as an inevitable necessity, warning that any deviation from this mission would signify a departure from the very reason for their existence.
The Custodian called for the development of the university to be grounded in expert studies, realistic capacity assessments, available resources, and national needs, cautioning that quantitative expansion without precise evaluation is neither desirable nor compatible with the university's mission.
Graduates a Valuable Asset
Highlighting the thousands of graduates produced by the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, Marvi described them as a valuable asset for Astan Quds Razavi and urged various sectors of the institution to harness the capacity of these specialized forces.
He outlined the essential requirements for the university's future trajectory: revisiting its founding objectives in accordance with contemporary exigencies, sound economic management, preserving educational quality, strengthening the Razavi identity, prioritizing the moral purification and self-development of students, training righteous individuals, and deepening the combined seminary-university education model.
Model-Building, Not Gap-Filling
Elaborating on the philosophy behind Astan Quds Razavi's involvement in education, the Custodian clarified that the institution has no inherent duty to run schools and universities. "The entry of this institution into the field of education has been undertaken with the aim of model-building and transformation in the country's educational system. Therefore, the philosophy of establishing these centers is not to compensate for the deficiencies of higher education or schooling, but to present a successful, distinct, and impactful model for the nation's scientific apparatus."
Marvi called for the formulation of a transformative plan with clear timelines and continuous evaluation of progress, emphasizing that the capacities of the Islamic Research Foundation, the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, the Sisters' Campus, Imam Reza International University, and the Razavi Cultural Foundation complement one another, and sustained interaction among them can foster synergy and quality enhancement.
Quality Over Quantity
The Custodian identified the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences as a platform for nurturing elites, stressing that since its resources are financed through endowments, they must be channeled in the most optimal direction to cultivate the finest talents. "Quality takes precedence over quantity. Even if the number of students is smaller, so long as the best scientific and moral talents are attracted, the university will draw closer to its mission," he said, noting that the admissions process must consider moral character and divine intention alongside academic ability.
He described faculty members as the most important capital of any university, affirming that the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences is endowed with erudite and capable professors whose capacity must be strengthened both quantitatively and qualitatively to serve as a model for other universities.
Scientific Authority the Ultimate Demand
Marvi declared the achievement of scientific authority to be the most critical demand from the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences and other academic centers affiliated with Astan Quds Razavi. "The philosophy of establishing these centers is model-building and transformation in the country's scientific system, and all points raised can be summarized in one statement: attaining scientific authority—the very demand that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has consistently emphasized," he stated.
He added that the proximity of these institutions to the luminous shrine of Imam Ridha (PBUH) renders their responsibility to achieve scientific authority all the more weighty.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Hojatoleslam Mohsen Jahangiri was honored for his three years of service as president, and Hojatoleslam Hossein Farzaneh was introduced as the new president of the university.
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