Message to the Gathering of First-Year High School Quran Teachers

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives glad tidings to the believers.

I express my gratitude to the dear brothers who have organized this gathering and taken a step forward in promoting the Quran. I say that this era is the era of the Quran; because after the unsuccessful experiences of humanity in the centuries of awakening and flourishing, that is, after humanity has failed to create a human and comforting system of life compatible with the stormy and astonishing growth of science, now the paths are gradually inclining towards the way of monotheism and the path of religion. Humanity, which is nearing maturity, is once again seeking what it had forgotten during the ignorant pride of the early scientific flourishing. This is occurring at a time when religion has reached governance in a part of the world and, with a great and exceptional revolution, has taken the reins of life for millions of people.

Thus, today is a historic and exceptional opportunity for the Quran to demonstrate its power and dominance in guiding the thoughts and actions of humans. However, this depends on us reaching the flowing spring of Quranic knowledge and guidance, understanding the Quran, contemplating it, making it the axis of discussion and inquiry, and delving into its depths. The bitter reality is that the Quran has not yet become a public matter in our society. Everyone loves and respects the Quran, but only a few constantly recite it, and even fewer contemplate it.

To remedy this deficiency, which is a feasible and straightforward task, the first step is to familiarize the youth and adolescents with the text and translation of the Quran and to let them taste something of the refreshing and life-giving nectar of the Quran... and this is the very task that you are now beginning.

I invite and recommend you to continue this path and to strengthen and pursue it day by day, and I ask God for success, guidance, and assistance for you.

Seyyed Ali Khamenei

1989/10/12