Additionally, in this enthralling conversation, new plans of Astan Quds Razavi have been explored in the field of endowment development.
• Explain the history of endowment in Razavi Holy Shrine.
The history of the endowments of the Razavi Holy Shrine dates back to the last 500 years, and among the oldest endowments we could mention the examples such as endowments of the late A'qiqi, Lady Goharshad, Khaje A'laeddin, Ganjalikhan and A'basqolikhan. During the Safavid period, endowments received more attention and also during the Qajar period, especially the second half, is the peak of the endowment period for the Razavi Royal Court.
In the first two decades of the 14th century, from 1300 to 1320 AH, the Pahlavi Dynasty had a very wide-ranging attack against the endowments, which led to the destruction of the process of finding new ones; during this period, many of the endowments had been decommissioned and turned into personal property.
After the Islamic Revolution, the endowment process continued and emerged in the construction of the schools, hospitals, roads and other services, as well as assistance to numerous charities.
A large number of endowments have been registered since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and became available to Astan Quds Razavi and the income of these endowments is used for various affairs in this institution.
• Tell us about Razavi yesterday and today’s donators and the qualities of their endowment.
Many donators in the past have devoted their property to Astan Quds Razavi, which includes large agricultural lands, gardens, residential houses or commercial premises. Nowadays, many people tend to take part in the participatory endowment so that they have a lasting keepsake in this Heavenly Court. Souvenir
Participatory endowment makes it possible for many middle and lower classes to participate in this good tradition and increase the number of donators. One of the missions of Deputy of Legal and Endowment Affairs of Astan Quds Razavi is to examine the various aspects of participatory endowment for those who are interested in, to organize legal and jurisprudential frameworks and to analyze executive structures to enable people put this kind of endowment in the course of their activities.
What is the necessity to develop endowments in today’s world?
The endowment function is in the direction of poverty eradication, which will help to eradicate poverty, financial, cultural, economic, educational and research types of poverty and examples include the construction of schools in deprived areas, the construction of housing for the poor and the oppressed and the construction of hospitals for health care and so on.
Moreover, cultural actions for the publication of Qur’an, publication of educational books, answering doubts and sermon recitation are among the measures. Astan Quds Razavi is the only sacred institution that can greatly enhance these functions in society for endowments and can solve educational and cultural problems and expand the culture of endowment in order to indicate the efficiency and function of endowment to the audience in the community by serving in various fields.
• How can one encourage the devotees of Razavi Shrine to join the donators?
Paying attention to the expenses of the Astan Quds Razavi for the running of Razavi Holy Shrine, receiving 30 million pilgrims annually, providing a peaceful environment for pilgrims have caused them to receive a beautiful pilgrimage as well as a valuable journey. Thus, all of these costs, which amount to hundreds of billions of Tomans annually are provided through the endowments and vows, which can provide a good foundation for donation by the devotees of Imam Reza (A.S.).
Furthermore, by focusing on the matter that after the Islamic Revolution, Razavi Holy Shrine has seen the expansion of the space and sacred places increasingly, and also there is the cost of construction, lighting, carpets, running the guesthouse, Dar al-Shafa, various cultural measures, honorary servants etc. The total endowments of the Razavi Shrine have provided the grounds for dealing with a large part of these expenses with their income, and these aspects will again indicate the necessity of endowment expansion and also the sharing of the costs to the addressees.
According to the order of Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, the transparency is needed regarding the incomes and the costs of Astan Quds Razavi so as to people have access to information over financial activities of Astan Quds Razavi.
• In the past two years, what measures Astan Quds Razavi in line with eradication of poverty and considering the construction of Imam Reza’s (A.S.) pilgrim house has taken leaning on the endowments?
During the last two years, we helped the needy, including pilgrims and neighbors. Deputy of Lands and Property of Astan Quds, in late 2016 approved a bill confirming that many of the seized lands had been prepared to bestow documents so that they would be able to access the documents. It was tried that the approval leaves 70% of agricultural and residential lands and 30% will be redeemed over ten years by installments. House
Given that these occupations have increased in recent years and these people are in inappropriate economic conditions, the bill has been able to provide significant assistance to occupiers.
The Department in order to help the needy, low-income people and investment of health groups under the supervision of the scientific department visits the patients in low-income areas free of charge, and has done many different activities, including: Educational, economic, cultural activities and by revitalization of Qantas, dredging and repair of Qantas and its route has made a huge contribution to the people of the region.
The construction of suitable houses for the people covered by the Relief Committee and Behzisti Institution, as well as those covered by it in Mashhad and Khorasan Razavi was carried out by Astan Quds Razavi which has had great effects in society.
The construction of two pilgrim houses in Mashhad for those who are not financially provided and interested in the pilgrimage of the Eighth Imam of Shi’ites has also brought comfort and enjoyment of the proper facilities for many pilgrims of this Heavenly Court.
• In the direction of implementation of what affairs, the growth of endowment culture in the Last two years has been pursued?
Establishment of a working group for the development of endowment and vow, as well as the participation of the experts have made it possible for people to participate in running the Razavi Holy Shrine. Setting up guiding and counseling offices in the Holy Shrine also provided the grounds for pilgrims and neighbors to ask questions about the endowments and respective matters round-the-clock and thus, decide what they can do for endowment development.
The revival of the endowment offices has also led to the expansion of endowments, and many individuals by providing cash can render invaluable services through endowments.
Sunday 22 December 2024
