Religion Offers Guidance on New Phenomena: Leader

In a meeting with a group of administrators, professors, and students of Jami’at Al-Zahra Women's Seminary on Wednesday, the Leader characterized this influential institution as one of the unparalleled phenomena born out of the Islamic Revolution which has significantly contributed to the elevation of religious knowledge and impact of women.

Highlighting the necessity for Islamic seminaries to transform and update themselves alongside societal changes, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that these seminaries must address critical societal matters, including economic issues, governance, and family matters.

The Leader attributed the establishment of Jami’at Al-Zahra to Imam Khomeini’s initiative. "The very act of creating an institution with the mission of elevating the religious knowledge and awareness of a large number of women and girls in our country is truly invaluable, for prior to its establishment, women in our country had never enjoyed such an opportunity," he stated.

Highlighting the significant damage caused by the spread of Western culture on Iranian women during the Pahlavi era, particularly the negative consequences of low levels of religious knowledge and the absence of dedicated institutions for the development of women's religious education, the Leader emphasized that Jami’at Al-Zahra now shoulders this crucial responsibility.

The Leader emphasized that the expansion of authentic Islamic knowledge among the general public is essential for the advancement toward an Islamic civilization. Given this necessity, he stated that the propagation and clarification of Islamic teachings, as well as the revival of religion, are other important missions of Jami’at Al-Zahra. To achieve this, the seminary must set goals and develop programs in order to have educational impact and promote the spiritual development of women, who constitute half of society.

Ayatollah Khamenei described transformation as a natural and inevitable phenomenon in the world, stating that if the reins of change are held by wise and pious individuals, society and humanity will progress, but without it, transformation will lead toward deviation and decadence, as observed today in Western societies where rational evils have been transformed into virtues.

The Leader underscored the need for seminaries to update their textbooks and teaching methods, incorporating contemporary issues such as finance, governance, family, and emerging concepts like cryptocurrencies. This, according to him, is essential for the transformation of seminaries. "To oppose the transformation of religious seminaries is to oppose the progress of religion in the country. However, it is imperative that those who initiate this transformation possess the necessary qualifications," he remarked, khamenei.ir reported.

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the importance of getting more women with deep religious understanding involved in media and global discussions, underscoring the role of Jami’at Al-Zahra in this regard. He added that since the Islamic Revolution, a significant number of intellectual women have emerged in society, who should be prepared to address issues related to women and the family in the media. "They should also be able to share important religious ideas at major international and Islamic assemblies, drawing upon the Quran, hadiths, and Nahj al-Balaghah to help explain these significant religious ideas. This will have an impact on both the progress and recognition of our country across the world and also facilitate the consolidation of the global Islamic community," he stated.

Ayatollah Khamenei underscored the importance of cultivating spiritual and moral development alongside academic pursuits for women at Jami’at Al-Zahra. He asserted that women possessing Islamic virtues and moral refinement have the potential to transform and educate future generations.