However more importantly, every student studying in this religious center is the propagator of religion and pure Islamic culture, and as the circle of needs, concerns and questions get wider, and eager ears to hear the pure Islamic teachings build up, our duty to this scale of audience gets heavier and adds to the responsibility of today’s missionaries, and make them responsible and committed to religion’s enthusiasts.
It is the duty of seminarians and academics to properly receive and act upon Islamic science and then promote it. We met with Hujjat al-Islam Seyyed Hassan Vahdati Shobeiri, the successor to the chairman of the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences and a faculty member at the University of Qom to get acquainted with the plans of this university in promoting Islamic education.
• Given the concern of the Supreme Leader regarding the research and study in universities, what highlights the approach of the Razavi University of Islamic sciences to this matter and what programs do you have in mind?
According to the order of the Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, any change in this university should be in line with the scientific guidelines presented by the Supreme Leader. He emphasizes the advancement of science and technology, so it is imperative for us to use the proper mechanisms and use different tools for the country’s comprehensive development and scientific authority. Among other emphasis of the Supreme Leader stands the adaptation of research with the real and objective needs of society, thus, our approach will be the same and we put identifying the existing problems and difficulties in life on the agenda. It is clear that the enemy is seeking to waver the trust of the people to the Islamic Republic’s ruling, and it is our duty to carry out more scientific studies in this field in order to provide an antidote to this enemy movement and to neutralize it.
• What is the stance of the Razavi Shrine concerning the works of art and studies?
Undoubtedly, Razavi Holy Shrine blankets a very valuable treasure of Islamic architecture and art, which might be the basis for many studies. Unfortunately, we did not succeed in presenting a comprehensive program regarding the art consistent with Islamic teachings and our ancient culture, so we are looking to peer at different aspects of the art, while also providing for the emergence of cultural works from artists and devotees to Imam Reza (A.S.) next to the Razavi Shrine.
• The gravest concern of fresh university students is the issue of future profession and employment. What are the opportunities for graduates of this university to enter the market and be absorbed by various executive and governmental agencies?
The University, by effective interaction with different establishments in Astan Quds Razavi has provided employment for many graduates of this university. Undoubtedly, Astan Quds Razavi engulfs a vast sea of scientific, cultural and social services that can absorb these graduates. Over 400 graduates of the University have been employed in the judiciary branch after obtaining the degree. Moreover, a large number of graduates of the University are employed as faculty members at the universities of the country, cultural advisor and staff of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is unique in its kind.
• One of the issues that has been raised since the past has been setting up the unit of sisters. What plan do you have to launch it in the future?
Fortunately, ladies have taken great strides toward perfection and their level of knowledge has grown exponentially, so we are looking to set up the Razavi University’s Sisters Unit with the same special facilities of brothers. Our program is currently attracting Ph.D. students in the fields of law and in the Qur’an and tradition sciences, philosophy, Arabic and Persian literature, economics and history and if the resources are yielded, soon this unit will be set up.
• What are the anticipated plans for the development of this university?
Considering the university’s new policies, various scientific plans have been presented, perhaps one of the most important among which is the establishment of a center for endowment studies, so that in addition to training and research, we advise the donators through the setup of a consultation clinic, and by presenting solutions in this area we intend to expand the culture of endowment in the country. Establishing a religious promotional center and increasing interaction with other seminary schools are among other strategies that we are trying to present to today’s audience with religion through virtual networks, conversation rooms, filmmaking, animation and more. Establishing a consultation center and training counselors, language center and academic studies, activating three law schools, theology, the faculty of humanities and attracting non-Iranian students are among other projects that we will pursue in the future and we hope to elevate this university into a prominent brand in the country and even in the world.
• What is the date of the comprehensive university test and will student capacity increase?
Postgraduate and graduate exams will be held on July 13th, and the Ph.D. exam on August 2nd and 3rd. We do not have the capacity limit, however, we intend to absorb the top students of each discipline, who will attend oral interviews after written examination.
• How many disciplines are active at the university currently?
About 30 disciplines including law, Qur’anic and tradition sciences, Islamic philosophy and theology, history, Persian language and literature, Arabic language and literature, economics etc., are active in this university, and in ten undergraduate, thirteen graduate and six Ph.D. disciplines we train the forces.
• What are the honors of the Razavi University?
Mentioning the honors of this university may be out of the audience’s patience; however, we can highlight 67 highest ranks of students in the national scientific Olympiad, three disciplines of Islamic theology and Islamic knowledge, law and Persian language and literature from 1998 to date, acquiring more than 70 top-rank titles in scientific and research festivals, publishing six scientific journals on Qur’anic sciences, traditions, law, jurisprudence, philosophy and Islamic social sciences, printing 108 titles in 119 volumes and 225 titles of reprinting in the fields of Islamic sciences, law and economics with a circulation of 500,000 copies and the implementation of more than fifty research projects in the field of Islamic sciences and knowledge, law, Islamic economics and so on.
• What programs do you have for the future?
One of the missions of the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences is to provide up-to-date and useful resources to organize research in the country and this is an approach we are looking forward to. Jurisprudential sources are valuable resources; nonetheless, the development of these resources requires incessant work. The continuous ijtihad is the solution of the Razavi University and it requires to update the resources regularly.
On the other hand, the proximity of the university to the Imam Reza’s (A.S) Holy Shrine brings a great potential for Muslim scholars to be able to communicate with each other. Conferences of Muslim jurists from all over the world as one of our future plans are foreseen, centered on genocide and destruction of sacred places.
Sunday 22 December 2024
