Hojjat al-Islam Sayyed Ali Khomeini has addressed the interest shown by students from various countries in studying at Iranian universities.
He said in another part of his remarks that he was aware that the martyred Leader of the Revolution, guided by his far-sighted and wise vision, had instructed officials to create the necessary conditions for non-Iranian students to attend and study at universities across the country.
Unfortunately, however, narrow-mindedness and the creation of unnecessary obstacles and difficulties had prevented the directive from being implemented as it should have been.
Sayyed Ali Khomeini added that the presence of foreign students at Iranian universities does not simply mean an increase in student numbers; rather, it represents a valuable opportunity to introduce the world to the culture and civilization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, its Islamic knowledge, and its scientific capabilities.
Students who study in Iran become familiar with the realities of Iranian society, culture, and intellectual thought, as well as Islamic thought. Upon returning to their home countries, they can help convey an accurate picture of Iran based on first-hand knowledge and personal experience.
He stressed the need to facilitate the conditions for non-Iranian students to study in the country, noting that many students around the world are interested in pursuing their studies in Iran and that this opportunity should be utilised to the fullest. Relevant authorities must remove administrative obstacles, simplify admission procedures, and provide the necessary facilities to ensure suitable conditions for these students. Narrow-minded attitudes and personal opinions should not be allowed to squander the country's major scientific and cultural opportunities.
The Iraqi People's Affection for Iran and the Leaders of the Revolution
The grandson of Imam Khomeini, referring to his presence in Najaf al-Ashraf, spoke about the Iraqi people's affection for the Islamic Republic of Iran and the leaders of the Revolution. He said the Iraqi people, particularly their younger generation, have great affection for Iran and its leadership, adding that a clear example of this love and bond was witnessed during the solemn funeral procession for the martyred Leader of the Revolution in Iraq.
He added that the emotional and social ties between the Iranian people and the peoples of the region, particularly Iraq, constitute an extremely valuable asset that must be strengthened through cultural planning, academic ties, and people-to-people exchanges. Relations between nations are not shaped solely by official and political ties; mutual understanding, cultural connections, scientific cooperation, and intellectual dialogue also play an important role in deepening these relationships.
The senior seminary scholar, referring to the experience of some cultural centres in Iraq in promoting understanding of different religions and schools of thought, said that certain Iraqi cultural institutions, despite the country's religious and sectarian diversity, had engaged followers of those religions themselves to gain an accurate understanding of their beliefs. They had drawn on their views and knowledge in preparing and publishing books on the subject. He said this experience could also serve as a useful model for scientific and cultural institutions in Iran.
The Need for Coordination Among Cultural Institutions and Avoiding Unjustified Rivalries
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Sayyed Ali Khomeini stressed the importance of careful planning for cultural activities, saying that cultural work should not be rushed. Such work requires patience, precision, an understanding of prevailing circumstances, and long-term planning. Lasting results cannot be expected from temporary measures that lack a sound research-based foundation.
He added that coordination and cooperation among different institutions are essential to advancing cultural and scientific activities. Unfortunately, he said, unjustified rivalries, duplication of efforts, and differences of opinion sometimes hinder the achievement of fundamental objectives. Institutions that should be working side by side towards shared goals instead expend part of their resources on unnecessary competition.
The grandson of Imam Khomeini emphasised that competition in the Islamic Republic of Iran should be about 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 noted that this principle had always been emphasised by the late Imam and the martyred Leader of the Revolution.
He explained that scientific and cultural institutions should complement one another, stressing that each institution must properly understand its position and responsibilities and operate within its area of expertise. If institutions pool their resources rather than duplicate activities and engage in unnecessary rivalries, they will undoubtedly achieve far better results.
University of Religions and Denominations: A Pioneer in Deepening Knowledge and Training Specialists in Religious Studies
In another part of the meeting, Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Sayyed Ali Khomeini praised the initiatives, efforts, and achievements of the University of Religions and Denominations, describing its mission as the promotion of rigorous, accurate, and in-depth academic knowledge of religions and schools of thought.
He said that, given its specialised mission and academic standing, the university plays an important role in training qualified, capable specialists with a comprehensive understanding of the various dimensions of religions and denominations. He added that the country's officials should support this valuable capacity and create the conditions necessary for its further strengthening and development.
He emphasised the importance of pursuing development and improving quality simultaneously in scientific and academic fields. Expanding educational resources and activities as part of scientific progress would have value and effectiveness only if accompanied by deeper knowledge, higher research standards, and stronger scientific capabilities. Continuous attention to quality and the effective use of available resources to achieve lasting scientific accomplishments are therefore indispensable.
The senior seminary scholar, referring to the university's specialised standing, said it was expected to continue training researchers and specialists with accurate, in-depth, and well-documented knowledge of various religions and denominations, enabling them to play an active role in academic, cultural, and international fields.
He noted that the fundamental assets of any specialised university are its academic standing, the depth of its research, and the competence of its graduates. By building on its existing capabilities and achievements and strengthening these elements, the University of Religions and Denominations can further establish itself as a credible and influential academic authority in religious and denominational studies.
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Sayyed Ali Khomeini stressed that quantitative expansion and the development of university activities acquire their true value when they serve to improve quality and fulfil the institution's academic mission. Training qualified specialists capable of performing effectively at both national and international levels is undoubtedly among the most important achievements of a specialised university and one of the factors that ensures the continuity of its standing and academic credibility.
Scientific and Research-Based Responses to Doubts: An Important Mission for Seminaries and Universities
The senior seminary scholar also addressed efforts by the enemies of Islam and the Revolution to raise doubts about religious and ideological issues. He said one of their methods was to introduce baseless questions and claims concerning religion and the Revolution in an attempt to confuse public opinion, particularly among young people. Under such circumstances, academic and research institutions, including the University of Religions and Denominations, have a responsibility to respond by producing well-documented, scholarly, research-based content.
He added that addressing religious and ideological doubts cannot be achieved through superficial approaches, general slogans, or unsupported answers. To respond effectively to the questions and doubts of the younger generation, it is essential to understand the issues properly, examine their intellectual and doctrinal foundations, and then provide answers based on reliable sources and scholarly evidence.
The grandson of Imam Khomeini stressed the need to strengthen communication between Islamic seminaries and university institutions. He said seminary students must make greater efforts to become familiar with different religions and schools of thought. Responding accurately to the intellectual and ideological issues facing society today requires academic study, knowledge of diverse intellectual currents, and strong research capabilities.
He emphasised that seminaries should not limit themselves to training scholars proficient in Islamic knowledge. They must also create the conditions for educating specialists capable of actively participating in interfaith and interdenominational dialogue and introducing Islamic and Shiite teachings to the world in a scholarly and logical manner.
University of Religions and Denominations: Promising Potential for Expanding Scientific and Cultural Diplomacy
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Sayyed Ali Khomeini once again emphasised the importance of welcoming students from different countries to Iran. He said the presence of students from around the world in the Islamic Republic represents an extremely valuable opportunity. If the country's officials give it the attention it deserves, they can make the best possible use of it to strengthen academic, cultural, and international ties.
The grandson of Imam Khomeini added that, given its specialized and international character, the University of Religions and Denominations could play an important role in this regard. It has the potential to become a centre for mutual understanding among religions, scholarly dialogue between followers of different denominations, and the academic introduction of Islamic and Shiite teachings.
He stressed the need to draw on the capabilities of seminaries, universities, research institutions, and academic figures in various countries to achieve this objective, and to develop integrated plans for expanding international activities.
Concluding his remarks, Hojjat al-Islam Sayyed Ali Khomeini said that accurately introducing Islam and Shiism, responding to doubts through scholarly research, developing a precise understanding of religions and denominations, and training specialised personnel are among the important needs of Muslim society today. He noted that the University of Religions and Denominations could play a prominent role in this process.
He added that achieving these objectives requires support from officials, long-term planning, coordination among academic institutions, and avoidance of unnecessary rivalries.
It is worth noting that, during the meeting, the president of the University of Religions and Denominations formally invited Hojjat al-Islam Sayyed Ali Khomeini to visit the university and presented a report on its academic, cultural, research, and international activities.