The appointment ceremony of three officials of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly was held on Saturday morning, January 29, 2022, in the AhlulBayt (a.s.) meeting hall of the Assembly building in Qom.
In this ceremony, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani stated, “We have recently defined a new structure (in the Assembly), and a lot of work has been done on it and we hope that things will go well in the field of practice.”
Referring to the general aspects of the movement and management style in the new era, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Based on the information set, the Assembly is on the path of change. Therefore, our emphasis is on increasing mutual knowledge, understanding, interaction and synergy between the personnel to create the ground for improvement and change.”
In management, the jurisprudential aspect must be observed
Regarding the structure and management framework of the Assembly, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In management, jurisprudential aspects must be observed, and jurisprudential instructions and prohibitions must be considered. Also, management must be scientific, and scientific data must be updated. Although we adhere to traditional management practices, we do not consider them perfect. In managerial developments, upstream principles, foundations and documents must be considered.”
“Management must be ethical, and in all areas, we must adhere to the moral teachings of Islam, including respect and reverence, and also other moral virtues. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid matters that are contrary to Islamic ethics. Thus, it is necessary for a person to first apply the moral teachings of Islam in himself, so that as a result, they are realized in the social sphere,” added the professor of higher levels of seminaries.
“In the management, the vision should be Velayat-centered. The one in charge should be affectionate to his colleagues, not pretending to be affectionate! Affection must prevail in the Assembly. In the letter of Imam Ali (a.s.) to Malik Ashtar, this order is given in a precise and deep way about the Islamic management system,” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized.
The need for empathy and cooperation in the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly offices
Reiterating the need for empathy and cooperation in the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly offices, he added, “Every office of the Assembly should have internal critique, dialogue and debate, and reach a decision through consultation and consensus. But after a decision is made, everyone must support it and follow the general policies of the Assembly.”
“The prevailing spirit in the Assembly should be the interaction between the personnel. Our main concern is the seventh summit. By recognizing harms, we must be able to perform our duties better than in previous summits,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
In another part of his speech, stating that the departments should explain the philosophy of decisions to their members, he added, “According to the Quranic verses: “رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي* وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي* وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي* يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي” (My Lord! relieve my mind* Make my task easy for me* Remove the hitch from my tongue,* [so that] they may understand my speech*) (Holy Quran, Surah: Taha, Verses: 25 to 28), the manager must be patient, Informational authority and good morals. It is also necessary for the manager to be in control of the affairs, to have the power of expression, and to explain the decisions to his subordinates clearly. On the other hand, the manager must have help to achieve the objectives.”
Research should be based on needs and necessities
On the importance of research with the local literature of the target society, the former head of the European Union of Shiite Scholars and Theologians said, “In the General Directorate of Studies and Research, research should be based on requirements and necessities in particular, regional requirements need to be discussed with the Office of Strategic and Thoughtful Affairs.
“Having the mastery of the literature of the target society in which the research and propagation (of Islam) is to be done, is important,” he said, “Many of our activities are not based on the local literature of the target society. Translation with local literature and language is very different from translation that does not fall within this framework. Therefore, the translator must have a mastery of the literature and language of source and target society.”
“It is necessary to be familiar with local literature of the target society, otherwise books that are translated at great cost will have no use. Today, we need to do research knowing that people’s tastes in reading have changed. For example, a book written with Iranian atmosphere and literature is not compatible with the literature of Pakistan. Sometimes, issues that are obvious to us may be theoretical for others,” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized.
Regarding the issues that the Office for Scientific and Cultural Affairs of the Assembly should address, he said, “Anthropological discussions are important today, therefore, a book on anthropology should be written from the perspective of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). Also, many people today are looking for a role model, so introducing a model for human societies is an important issue.”
Resistance must be explained correctly
“The issue of resistance from the perspective of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and the Qur'an is another important issue. Mercy is next to resistance, and therefore resistance must be properly explained. Because today Muslim countries are under the domination of the international arrogant system, and the Islamic view of Resistance must be theorized. The issues of seeking justice and a peaceful life from the perspective of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) should also be addressed. Because Muslims and followers of AhlulBayt (a.s.) do not seek war but fight against tyranny,” he added.
“The lifestyle of AhlulBayt (a.s.) should be introduced. The AhlulBayt (a.s.) have taught us every-day and complicated matters, as well as life and social issues. Therefore, different aspects of the lifestyle of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) must be examined,” the teacher of the high levels of the seminaries continued.
Emphasizing the need for research and studies to be updated, he said, “For the activities of the Assembly, we need regional and field studies. There is a need for research on how and with what literature to introduce the AhlulBayt (a.s.) in different countries. Also, the fruit of research have the capacity to become entries for the Wiki Shia. Wiki Shia can use experts to strengthen its activities, and it can play an irreplaceable role by attending and consulting with experts.”
Studies and works of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly should be practical
Stating that the studies and works of the Assembly should be practical, Ayatollah Ramazani added, “One of the tasks of the Office of Strategic and Thoughtful Affairs is to propose creative solutions to the Assembly. In different periods with the presence of managers, we have witnessed creativity in the Assembly. But the biggest harm for the Assembly is that with the departure of a creative director, the creativity goes with him. Therefore, creativity in the Assembly should not depend on individuals. Rather, structures need to be creative. Therefore, creativity must become a system and not depend on a specific person. Everyone who works in the Assembly needs to be creative.”
Stating that the Office of Strategic and Thoughtful Affairs should have a macro view, he continued, “The Office of Strategic and Thoughtful Affairs should review how close we are to the objectives, as well as strategies for approaching those objectives. The Office of Strategic and Thought Affairs should assist the Secretary-General in creating a creative and innovative organization.”
Emphasizing that the products of the assembly should be solid, practical and scientific, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “A specialized scientific council should be formed in the Office for Scientific Cultural Affairs of the Assembly and carry out the works according to scientific principles. The Book Council should also be formed in specialized working groups, with the presence of experts in various fields.”
Introducing the Director General of the Office of Studies and Research, he stated, “Hojat al-Islam Abdullah Tavana has managerial and teaching experience in various fields. He is familiar with educational affairs and has traveled abroad for propagation. He is a good choice for the Office of Studies and Development. I hope that with his presence, we will witness a new chapter of research activities in the international arena.”
about the new advisor to the deputy for scientific and cultural affairs of the Assembly, he said, “Hojat al-Islam Hosseini Aref is familiar with the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly. He has been present in the Assembly for nearly two decades and has been a capable person in various fields, especially cyberspace and ABNA news agency. He will provide the necessary advice in the scientific and cultural fields and will help Hojat al-Islam Farmanian, in order to provide a new, good and desirable atmosphere for the development of the activities. We also use Hojat al-Islam Aref in different sections.”
Regarding the director of the Office of Strategic and Thought Affairs, he said, “Hojat al-Islam Ishaqi is familiar with various fields and is fluent in several languages. He has been in Lebanon, and whoever holds a position in Lebanon is familiar with the international arena and the Islamic world. He also has studies in the Islamic world and has works and activities in the fields of education and research.”
Farmanian: All products of the Office for Cultural Affairs of the Assembly will be produced according to international needs
In this meeting, the Head of the Office for Scientific and Cultural Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly also stressed the importance of synergy and collective work to advance the goals of this international organization.
Hojat al-Islam Dr. Mehdi Farmanian stated, “All research and products of the Office for Scientific and Cultural Affairs of the Assembly must be produced in accordance with the needs and requirements of the Assembly’s Office of International Affairs, or if we ourselves find a subject that needs to be worked on, it is necessary to start work with the approval of the mentioned office.”
Introducing the three newly appointed gentlemen, he expressed hope that they would be successful in carrying out their assigned duties.
At the end of the meeting, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly presented the letters of appointment of Mr. Tavana, Mr. Hosseini Aref and Mr. Ishaqi.
To read the letters of these new appointments, and the records of the appointees, click on the following links: