ABWA Official Website – Ayatollah Ramazani, Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, appointed Hassan Sadraei Aref as the new CEO of AhlulBayt (a.s.) News Agency – ABNA and appreciated Hojat Al-Islam Hosseini Aref, the previous CEO of the News Agency.
On Thursday, December 22, 2022, at the ceremony for honoring and inauguration of the managers of ABNA News Agency, while offering his condolences on the martyrdom of Lady Fatimah Zahra (a.s.), Ayatollah Ramazani said, “We can say that after the demise of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), Lady Zahra (a.s.) was one of the flag bearers of the Enlightenment Jihad movement in various cultural, social, political and life spheres.”
“Reviving the AhlulBayt (a.s.) culture has been one of the most important objectives of the Assembly,” Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly of stated, “In this era, the historical turning point and the necessities that we are facing today, the best conditions are provided to enlighten about the AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings, and we should seize this golden opportunity in a proper way.”
“There has never been a time like the present to enlighten about the AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings. The world has become interested in these teachings, and wherever the way was paved, the followers of all divine religions showed this love, interest and devotion towards AhlulBayt (a.s.). Perhaps, throughout the history of Muslims, such conditions have not existed to explain the AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings,” he added.
In another part of his speech, while pointing out the importance of new technologies and messaging tools, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Things like satellite, computer, internet, cellphone, and social and virtual networks have brought changes in human society. These messaging tools are interacting and moving forward at an astonishing speed. We should not lag behind the developments in these fields. The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly should also use all possible means to be the reference in the correct way and with an ethical system.”
Further, referring to the activities of ABNA News Agency and the efforts of Mr. Hosseini Aref since the inception and establishment of this media, Ayatollah Ramazani state, “One of the valuable works that was carried out in the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly during the presidency of Ayatollah Akhtari is the establishment of ABNA News Agency. The establishment of ABNA News Agency, like Thaqalayn TV and AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, is very valuable and admirable. Mr. Hosseini Aref also played significant role in both the establishment and stabilization of ABNA and took a lot of efforts in this way.”
“With detailed and comprehensive expert studies, we conclude that we should use the capabilities of Mr. Hosseini Aref in the Assembly,” he emphasized.
“Expectations and demands from ABNA News Agency are at the international level,” Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly added, “Every manager in a position must be up to date, which requires communication with experts in the relevant field. With the capacity that ABNA has, it can become a unique news agency for the Shiites of the world.”
While referring to the new technologies and the developments that have occurred in this field in the world, the member of the Assembly of Leadership Experts stated, “In order to be attractive and effective, the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly should seek innovative measures and activities with the appropriate means. We can use new technologies to launch international campaigns.”
“We believe in media ethics,” Ayatollah Ramazani added, “We consider ethics as the basis in the fields of culture, politics, economy, etc. Ethics should be observed as the most serious issue. The current immorality that takes place in the media in the world has caused anxiety and worry to the human society.”
While expressing gratitude for the efforts of Mr. Hosseini Aref in the ABNA News Agency, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “During his management, ABNA News Agency performed well in the establishment and stabilization phase, and also improved in increasing the languages of the news agency.”
Emphasizing that ABNA should seek transformation, Ayatollah Ramazani mentioned the following as the important priorities of ABNA News Agency in the new management period: Staff training, specialized training, detailed assessment with an approach to find and solve the damages and defects, promotion at all levels, evaluation in terms of content, technical and graphics, differentiation between the CEO and the chief editor, activation of domestic and foreign branches and representatives, close communication with the international sector, paying special attention to the news of the Shiite world and the Statement of the Supreme Leader on the Second Phase of the Revolution, following the priorities and news line, attracting the maximum audience, refinement of existing languages, producing content related to AhlulBayt (a.s.) for newspapers and news agencies, Persian writing and eloquence, and accompanying and interacting with aligned news agencies.
“The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly is the connecting link between Wilayat and sources of emulation with the followers of AhlulBayt (a.s.) in the world,” he added, “This role should also be prominent in ABNA news agency. Of course, ABNA has performed well in these fields. But there is a need to become more active and to be connected with the offices of the sources of emulation. ABNA should become a media reference for religious media related to AhlulBayt (a.s.). Indeed, ABNA has this ability, and it can become the eloquent language of AhlulBayt (a.s.) followers in the world.”
In the end, while appreciating Mr. Hosseini Aref for his many years of efforts in the ABNA News Agency, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, pointed to the records and activities of Mr. Sadraei Aref and introduced him as a follower of Wilayat, concerned, and a seminarian without a factional view. Ayatollah Ramazani also expressed his hope that Mr. Sadraei will use the valuable experiences of Mr. Hosseini Aref.
The performance of ABNA News Agency has been unique in some historical moments: Sadraei
Then, in this ceremony, while appreciating the trust of Ayatollah Ramazani, Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, Hassan Sadraei Aref, the new CEO of ABNA, said, “ABNA News Agency is a great asset and a significant capacity in the media outlets related to AhlulBayt (a.s.), which has reached great achievements in its media record.”
“Everything I have is from the seminary. I belong to the seminary; and I will never leave the seminary. The AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly is the house of AhlulBayt (a.s.) and the same atmosphere and spirit prevails there,” Sadraei Aref said.
While referring to 23 years of media activity and following up on actions taken in ABNA News Agency, he added, “The performance of ABNA News Agency has been unique in some historical moments, and we should appreciate these efforts.”
Further Sadraei mentioned the services and efforts of Mr. Hosseini Aref in the position of CEO of ABNA News Agency and described him as a caring and sincere person who managed the news agency with his round-the-clock efforts without any expectations and with minimal facilities.
The new CEO of ABNA News Agency also mentioned the good human capital in ABNA and said, “This capacity presents a good opportunity for upgrading and transformation in ABNA and makes us hopeful for this happening.”
In the end, he emphasized the need to organize ABNA and expressed his hope that the new plans will be implemented with consensus, companionship and cooperation of colleagues in ABNA as well as ABNA Policy Council.
ABNA needs to work on the issue of Shiite authority: Shariatmadar
Mohammad Mahdi Shariatmadar, a member of ABNA News Agency Policy Council, also expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of Mr. Hosseini Aref, and also wished success to Mr. Sadraei Aref in the position of new CEO of the news agency.
“ABNA News Agency can work on the issues of Shiite authority, resistance and the resistance approach in the Shiite society,” he added.
ABNA has become an important capacity of the Assembly: Rashed
Further in the meeting, referring to the history of the establishment of ABNA News Agency under the auspicious of Ayatollah Akhtari and under the management of Mr. Hosseini Aref, Dr. Abd al-Reza Rashed, Deputy for International Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “At present, ABNA has become one of the important capacities of the Assembly.”
“ABNA is the voice of oppressed Shia, which access to it was filtered in some Arab countries,” he added.
“Mr. Hosseini Aref worked at ABNA News Agency with all his heart, and he did it sincerely and diligently, with the least possible means. Not only in ABNA, but also in all parts of the Assembly, he always played many roles,” Dr. Rashed said.
Deputy for International Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly also emphasized the necessity of supporting ABNA News Agency and said that the colleagues in ABNA did great work. He expressed his hope that this change (new inauguration) will lead to transformation and promote the ABNA.
In the end, while pointing to the fully preparation of the Department for International Affairs of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to cooperate with ABNA News Agency, he said, “We can use the capacity of the local assemblies (in different countries) to attract volunteer reporters for ABNA.”
Mr. Hosseini Aref is a jihadi (diligent) manager and media expert: Mahbubi
In a speech, Hojat al-Islam Ahmad Mahbubi, the editor of the Farsi department of ABNA News Agency while expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the jihadi management and services of Mr. Hosseini Aref, said, “He worked day and night, and had a flair for writing, expression, and management. He was an expert in journalism.”
Wishing success to Mr. Sadraei Aref, he called on the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly for special attention to the ABNA News Agency.
At the end of the ceremony, the order of appointment of Mr. Hassan Sadraei Aref as new CEO of ABNA News Agency was read as follows:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Hassan Sadraei Aref
Considering the importance and prominent role of ABNA News Agency in publishing the news and events of the Islamic world, especially the news of the followers of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) in all corners of the world – who are in minority and oppressed in terms of news coverage – and considering your knowledge, commitment, and valuable experiences, hereby, I appoint you as the CEO of AhlulBayt (a.s.) News Agency – ABNA.
Taking to account the “increasing importance and sensitivity of propagation, media and cyberspace”, you are expected to take steps to transform this news agency into an “efficient and up-to-date media reference for recognizing, explaining, promoting and publishing the AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings” by using the material, spiritual and human resources of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) enthusiasts all over the world, especially by employing expert and young staff, and utilizing new media methods. You are also expected to move in the direction of increasing media production in the level of subject policies of the Assembly, as well as clarifying the position of Wilayat, and propagating the AhlulBayt (a.s.) teachings in order to reach the new Islamic civilization, to elevate the thought and insight of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) followers.
It is hoped that by observing divine piety and a jihadi (volunteer) and transformation seeking management approach, by utilizing all capacities, and considering the high values of Islam and the school of AhlulBayt (a.s.), this news agency will reach its true position in the light of the attention of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), and become an honest and comprehensive news source for the AhlulBayt (a.s.) followers.
I pray to Almighty God for your increasing success.
Reza Ramazani
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