Speaking at the press conference of the 2nd Goharshad International Award held at Young Journalists Club’s office (YJC), Dr. Ali Sarvari introduced Astan Quds Razavi’s job in offering the first Goharshad Award in 1395/ 2016 as successful and stated, “This award is given to eight elite and benefactor ladies in the world out of which four are Iranian and four others are non-Iranians”.
Elaborating on the reason for holding Goharshad International Award Festival, he stressed, “This Festival is held to conduct the fourth part of the decree of Astan Quds Razvi’s custodian given by the Supreme Leader. In fact the award is offered to spread teachings of Qur’an and household of the Apostle of God (S.A.W.) in order to form a cultural movement based on beneficence”.
Sarvari reminded, “The goal for holding this festival is to appreciate world elite and expert ladies under the Razavi flag. This festival is of course held with the name of one of Hazrat Reza’s (A.S.) servant, Lady Goharshad. Based on this festival, eight Iranian and non-Iranian ladies who have had remarkable activities are awarded every year”.
Saying that eight areas have been defined for the participants of this festival, he stated, “These charity areas include sacrifice and martyrdom, resistance and Islamic awakening, science, education, and research, cultural and media endeavors, endowment, construction affairs, medicine, management, and entrepreneurship”.
Noting that the resumes of 60 Iranian candidates and 60 foreign candidates have been examined by a 17-person group of referee in this round of the festival, he said, “In the international area, four salient ladies from Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, and Nigeria have been elected. Both geographical and thematic varieties have been taken into consideration in the election processes”.
Noting that Goharshad International Award is a symbolic act to make culture of charity and beneficence rampant, head of the secretariat of this festival said, “There is no doubt that all competent ladies have not been examined in this festival and there are many unknown benefactors whom we were not able to identify or their resumes have not been reached to us”.
Sarvari said that this award is not limited to Shia or Muslim ladies only. He said, “All female and benefactor followers of the monotheistic religions can participate in this festival so that all women who, in addition to their role as a mother and wife, played actively in social arenas as an effective and elite person in the area of charity can be appreciated”.
Saying that although Lady Goharshad was a Sunni Muslim, she had a great affection toward the household of the Apostle of God (S.A.W.), he reminded, “Goharshad is an example of a benefactor lady who took valuable steps to promote Islam”. He also said, “Goharshad Mosque in Razavi Holy Shrine is a sign of mercifulness and of this faithful woman and also a sign of her affection toward infallible Imams (A.S.)”.
Head of the secretariat of Goharshad International Award said that all the public can introduce unknown benefactor people to this festival. He also added, “The informed people can enter unknown benefactors’ information on goharshad.aqr.ir so that we can consider them in the next rounds of the festival”.
Sarvari introduced this festival as a symbolic movement for promoting culture of beneficence. He also stressed, “Making an award international cannot be done by sole institution; therefore, media should support us so that this award which is for elite and benefactor ladies can be introduced to the people of the world, utilizing spiritual capacity of Astan Quds Razavi”.
In continuation of this ceremony, Dr. Waeizi, a member of the referee group, appreciated Astan Quds Razavi’s initiative for holding this kind of festival and stated, “Goharshad International Award is a great opportunity for appreciating benefactors’ benevolent thoughts and great movements”.
Friday 10 January 2025
