During a meeting with the president of the University of Religions and Denominations and several university officials

Sayyed Ali Khomeini said that a sound understanding of religions and denominations is one of the fundamental needs of Islamic seminaries, noting that more than four decades of revolutionary experience have demonstrated that the people are the Islamic Republic's main source of support. He added that the Islamic Republic's strength is not limited to its material resources and capabilities, stressing that its enemies must know that the Iranian people will not surrender in the face of pressure and conspiracies.

He emphasized that today, more than ever, unity, solidarity and vigilance are essential, and that differences of opinion and political and partisan rivalries must not be allowed to undermine social cohesion. He also stressed that all political currents and institutions in the country must recognise that the foremost priority at this sensitive juncture is to safeguard Iran, strengthen the Islamic system and serve the people.

He added that the people are the true owners of the Revolution, and that the presence of foreign students at Iranian universities is not merely a matter of increasing student numbers. Rather, it represents a valuable opportunity to introduce the world to the culture and civilisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, its Islamic knowledge and its scientific capabilities. He noted that many students from countries around the world are interested in studying in Iran and that this opportunity should be utilised to the fullest.

He stressed that competition in the Islamic Republic should be aimed at providing greater service to the people, doing better work and advancing the goals of the Revolution—not attracting attention or securing positions and posts. He explained that this principle had always been emphasised by the late Imam and the martyred Leader of the Revolution.

According to Jamaran, citing the public relations office of the University of Religions and Denominations, Hojjat al-Islam Sayyed Ali Khomeini made these remarks during a meeting with the university's president and several officials. He emphasised the need to safeguard the principles of the Revolution, preserve national unity and cohesion, and strengthen the bond between the people and the Islamic system. He also highlighted the historic standing and enduring role of the late Imam and the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

He said the Islamic Revolution was the outcome of the struggle waged by Imam Khomeini (may God bless his soul), together with the Iranian people's support and steadfastness. Continuing along this path, he added, requires preserving that same spirit of faith, confidence, unity and conscious public participation.

He noted that the late Imam, relying on the faith and determination of the Iranian people, opened a new chapter in the history of Iran and the world. Drawing on popular support, he restored the Iranian people's independence and dignity and established a system founded on Islamic values, political independence and popular sovereignty. Following his passing, the martyred Leader of the Revolution played an important role in sustaining the revolutionary course and safeguarding its achievements through wise leadership and the management of the country during critical and challenging periods.

Referring to the current sensitive circumstances and what he described as the imposed war being waged by the United States and the Zionist entity against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the grandson of Imam Khomeini said Iran's enemies had consistently sought to weaken the people's resolve and create a rift between them and the Islamic system through pressure, threats, sanctions and wars.

However, he said, more than four decades of revolutionary experience had demonstrated that the people are the Islamic Republic's principal source of support. During critical and difficult periods, the Iranian people had defended the Revolution and the country through their presence and support, and they remain the Islamic system's primary source of strength today.

He explained that the Islamic Republic's strength does not rest solely on its material resources and capabilities. Its most important foundations, he said, are the people's faith, determination, unity and support. The enemies must understand that the Iranian people will not surrender to pressure and conspiracies, and that, relying on this popular support, preserving national cohesion and drawing on its domestic capabilities, the Islamic Republic of Iran will overcome this difficult period with dignity and strength.

Sayyed Ali Khomeini stressed that today, more than ever, the country needs unity, solidarity and vigilance. Differences of opinion and political and partisan rivalries must not be allowed to undermine social cohesion, he said. All political currents and institutions must recognise that the foremost priority at this sensitive juncture is to safeguard Iran, strengthen the Islamic system and serve the people.

The grandson of Imam Khomeini further stressed that the people are the true owners of the Revolution. Officials, he said, must appreciate the people's support and trust and prove themselves worthy of this invaluable asset through sincere service, efforts to resolve problems and attention to society's demands. The more effectively officials fulfil their responsibilities, he added, the stronger the bond between the people and the system will become.

The Need for a Scholarly Introduction to Islam and Shiism

During the meeting, Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Sayyed Ali Khomeini described the scholarly introduction of Islam and Shiism as one of the fundamental necessities of the modern world. He also praised the academic, cultural, international and research activities undertaken by the University of Religions and Denominations.

He said that a sound understanding of religions and denominations is one of the essential requirements for Islamic seminaries, adding that, thankfully, the University of Religions and Denominations has played a distinctive and significant role in this field.

He added that studying other religions and denominations is not merely an academic or research subject. The world today, he explained, is characterised by a wide diversity of beliefs, ideas and religious schools of thought. If Islam and Shiism are to be introduced accurately, it is essential to develop a precise, scholarly and fair understanding of other religions and denominations. A proper introduction to any school of thought, he said, cannot be achieved without understanding its intended audience, intellectual and doctrinal background, and religious beliefs.

The senior seminary scholar expressed hope that the study of religions and denominations would be expanded within Islamic seminaries. He said seminaries were expected to devote serious attention to these subjects alongside their core and traditional courses, and to work towards training specialists familiar with the doctrinal, historical and intellectual foundations of different religions.

He added that Muslim society today needs scholars who, in addition to being well-versed in Islamic knowledge, possess an accurate and scholarly understanding of other schools of thought and denominations.