Statements in Meeting with University Professors

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

I am very pleased, I thank you, and I express my gratitude to God Almighty for granting us this opportunity to have another Ramadan, another session, and more hours in the presence of the faithful and distinguished scholars in our country - both brothers and sisters - and to benefit from the good statements they made.

These are the last days of Ramadan, and the atmosphere of the hearts and souls of our people - including you - is one of worship, humility, and purity; God willing. In the prayers of these days and nights, you have read: "O God, these days of the month of Ramadan have passed, and its nights have gone by." I say: O Lord! The nights of Ramadan have passed, the days of Ramadan have gone by, and we do not know how much we have been able to fill the vessel of our existence with Your mercy, with Your grace, and how much we have benefited. And I say: "If You are not pleased with us until this moment, then please be pleased with us now"; O Lord! If we have not been able to earn Your satisfaction and pleasure until this moment, we request and implore that at this very moment, Your satisfaction be upon us.

Purity and the clarity of the soul are important for everyone, necessary for all, and effective in the lives of all; however, in my opinion, it is more important, more beneficial, and more profitable for professors and scholars. Firstly, because you, as professors, have a greater impact on the formation of the character of your students and youth than your words do; your demeanor and behavior have an effect - this is often the case - so that if your words guide them in one direction, but your behavior does not accompany that direction, this behavior and demeanor will have an impact on your audience, on your students, on that learner and youth who is your student. This is one aspect of the importance of the clarity of the soul. If our professors possess spirituality and a pure spirit, they will illuminate the classroom, the lesson space, and the hearts of the learners. We need this. In addition, you are scholars; therefore, if knowledge is accompanied by illumination, it will find the right direction.

The issues you friends have raised and the obstacles, problems, and criticisms observed in various fields, some of which you mentioned, are largely due to the fact that knowledge has not moved in its correct direction - which is the divine tradition. This clarity of the soul and this illumination help the scholar to guide and advance knowledge in that correct direction.

Let us value these days and nights. You have fasted for twenty-some days, thanks be to God, you have succeeded, and surely you have benefited from the heavenly lights of these nights and days; in these remaining days and nights, strive to fill your vast vessel of existence even more with the waterfall of divine grace and purity that is pouring down upon us.

The university is the engine of the country's progress; there is no doubt about this. If a nation desires dignity, if it desires independence, if it desires power, if it desires wealth, it must strengthen its university. Fortunately, this point has taken root in the minds of the country's officials; everyone has understood that they must pay attention to the university.

Today, the country is in need of a scientific jihad. Of course, when I mention science here, I mean the general meaning of science; not just experimental sciences. We need a scientific jihad. I will now address some of the points raised by brothers and sisters, and if there is a viewpoint, I will present it following the statements of the friends; however, what I believe is the summary of all the issues - which I consider myself committed to both stating and pursuing, and to observing with precision and concern to see where it leads - is that the country needs a scientific jihad.

You see, jihad has a specific meaning. The meaning of jihad is not merely effort. In the Islamic concept, jihad refers to that effort made against an enemy, against an adversary. Not every effort is jihad. Struggling against the self, struggling against Satan, jihad in the military field, confronting an enemy; confronting an opponent. Today, we need to make such efforts in the field of science in the country; we must feel that obstacles exist, and we must remove these obstacles; there are oppositions, and we must break these oppositions; in the field of providing scientific resources, there are restrictions from those who possess them - which are the advanced scientific countries - we must show dignity, enthusiasm, and an outpouring from within ourselves in the face of these restrictions. Today, despite the pretense of scientific generosity, the world is ultimately miserly in science. Those who, due to various factors, managed to possess scientific advancement at one point and rode the engine of progress and surpassed all of humanity - these are the advanced Western countries, which have held this since the Renaissance; it was once in our hands too - they are monopolists, they are greedy; they do not want the circle of this knowledge, the circle of this power to expand; they oppose the knowledge of nations; especially after this knowledge became a tool for their politics. Colonialism arose from science. Science was able to empower and strengthen them; thus, they began to colonize the world; otherwise, nations were living their lives. Where was Britain, and where was Indonesia? They used the tools of science to seize those regions. Well, when colonialism arose from science and international power and political power relied on science, they should not allow this knowledge to be in the hands of others; otherwise, this power is threatened. And they have acted this way until today.

Now, a nation decides and makes a decision to stand on its own feet, to utilize its own talents; fortunately, these conditions are somewhat provided for it - our nation is like this - perhaps some other nations, if they decided to stand on their own feet in the field of science, could not do so; because they neither had that historical background nor their own innate and regional talents. Our country, thanks be to God, possesses these. The revolution occurred, a great movement took place, an awakening emerged, a sense of capability arose, an important movement began, which has had many advancements. We must accept and acknowledge that this movement is in its early stages. We are at the beginning of the path.

Friends referred to a three-hundred-year planning. Of course, I do not believe in three hundred years of planning; however, I appreciate this thought, this spirit that makes us feel that the past thirty years are our first step; if we want to take ten steps, it will take another three hundred years. We must recognize that we are taking our first steps; we must understand that we can take larger steps; this feeling must arise. And I believe that this feeling will definitely arise; just as this great scientific movement, this scientific innovation, this production of knowledge, this engagement with the frontiers of knowledge, which we never thought would be possible; well, it was raised, it was discussed, it was pursued; today you are witnessing its fruits. Therefore, we can take larger steps, we can accomplish great tasks.

It is necessary for me to review what the friends have said; because the points raised by the friends today were truly very gratifying for me. Of course, it has not always been this way. Sometimes we have sat in the meetings of esteemed professors, we have risen, but I have not benefited; today I benefited greatly. The discussions were diverse, very insightful; what was said was completely alive; both the viewpoints that were raised were lively, and the suggestions that were made were very good and executable. Today, our session was very fruitful, and I would like the details of these statements to be published; now it would be good if it were published in the national media; but even better is that all of this be compiled, these statements be written down and disseminated. The words were very good.

One of the friends mentioned that a traditional medicine faculty has been established; this is good news for me. One of the friends discussed the current economic system and claimed that we have deviated from the constitution. Of course, I do not hold this belief. I have sincerity towards our dear brother Dr. Sobhani. We know Dr. Sobhani, and I am familiar with his views; he is one of our very valuable brothers; however, this statement is not acceptable to me. Now, some of the superstructures and phenomena may not be acceptable to us - certainly, there are such cases - but the foundations are correct foundations; especially this issue of the policies of Article 44, which has been analyzed and discussed. His views and those of some other friends, whether when they were in the parliament or otherwise, have been raised.

One of the friends referred to the wisdom-based university; this was a new statement for me. Now, whether wisdom is taken in the same sense as Dr. Fayyaz mentioned - that what he expressed about wisdom is a completely correct definition - or in another sense, I do not know; but the wisdom-based university is a new statement, a novel idea; and it is even newer that they said some of its works have been carried out, and the University of Tehran has also done some parts; this is very new to me. I had not heard of such a thing actually taking root in the country.

The proposal to create an observatory for monitoring the comprehensive scientific map was made; this is completely correct. This was also in my notes that I wrote down here to mention. The comprehensive scientific map requires both an executive program and - as he expressed - an observatory to see how much progress is being made, so that the program does not deviate or become stagnant.

Regarding the importance of human sciences, fortunately, today the friends spoke extensively; this is the very sentiment of our hearts. Last year, when I spoke about human sciences, I noticed that this statement received some feedback from certain individuals that was not scientific or logical. They made interpretations of this statement that were completely not our intention. Our statement about human sciences is precisely the same as what these friends said and is completely correct: human sciences are important, the current human sciences in the country are not indigenous, do not belong to us, do not address our needs, are not based on our philosophy, are not based on our teachings, and do not address our issues at all. Others have raised the issue and solved it for themselves - we do not care about the correctness or incorrectness of that - it is entirely alien to us. Of course, there is no opportunity to discuss human sciences now. In the future, if I have life and success, I will have another university session, God willing, with esteemed professors or students, and I will discuss the issues of human sciences in detail. I have a lot to say about human sciences.

The problems that one of the gentlemen mentioned are completely correct. This lack of change in the syllabi of human sciences that they mentioned, and the times they also raised, I am aware of; it is completely correct. It is indeed a flaw that we have not changed the syllabus of a certain field for twenty or twenty-five years; this indicates a lack of courage to engage in dispute; this is exactly what we fear. They do not have the courage to engage in dispute; they teach what exists, and they continue to teach it; they may still be teaching the same thing ten years from now; while, as this esteemed brother expressed, every five years, there are sometimes major changes in human sciences; at least in some human sciences, this is certainly the case. I am very grateful to this brother and the other brothers and sisters and esteemed professors who thought about the issue of human sciences. The statements were based on study, thought, and reflection; they were very valuable.

One of the gentlemen pointed out that in dealing with the current human sciences, instead of a negative approach to Western approaches, we should adopt a positive approach; meaning that we should present Islamic approaches. Yes, the essence of the matter is exactly this; there is no doubt. One cannot live in a vacuum. When an issue is raised, it requires a response; either it is their response or ours; however, two things are important: one is that the response we have must be compiled - this is a task for you, the professors of the seminary and university; who else will do this? This is not a governmental task - the second is that the courage to engage in dispute with the current Western approach stemming from liberal democracy must arise; both of these things are necessary. Both of these things are in your hands; they are in the hands of the professors specialized in human sciences. Of course, to say that a management is necessary, a special structure is needed, these are worth considering, worth paying attention to; they should be studied; it is a correct statement at least in general - but in any case, the work is the work of human sciences professors.

One of the ladies spoke about the selection of students and the lack of alignment of theses with scientific needs; which is a very correct statement, and it is among our statements. She also emphasized the necessity of a two-way path between the leadership and the women's community. Of course, the women's community cannot be compared to the university or the armed forces. Well, the women's community means more than half of the country's population; this cannot be compared to a university community or, for example, a military group; but well, it is a correct statement. In any case, we must think and listen to the viewpoints of the wise and educated women of the country; because women's issues are important issues; they are right. Truly, today the problem of women in the world - not only in our country - is one of the main problems. In our country, women's issues may be fewer compared to many countries in the world, including compared to Western countries, where the issues are much more severe.

One of the gentlemen - Dr. Zali - mentioned the honorable advancements in the medical, treatment, health, and biotechnology sectors and provided very interesting statistics. Firstly, God bless the memory that he recited all these details and characteristics one by one from memory; it was very interesting. One admires this memory. God willing, may this memory remain with him. These advancements must be raised, they must be stated so that people know. Some have sat down beside students and professors and are spreading despair: "Sir, it cannot be done, Sir, we cannot do it, Sir, it is of no use." These are truly like termites; vile, destructive, and ruinous beings. The country is progressing with full vitality. This tree was a sapling, today, thanks be to God, it has become a good tree; "A good word is like a good tree, its root is firm and its branches are in the sky." In all sectors, we are progressing. Of course, we have challenges too. If one wants to avoid falling, one must walk. If we want to get moving, there will be falls, there will be bumps, there will be collisions. Challenges are the essence of a nation's movement; without challenges, it cannot be done. With this vitality, with this steadfastness, the nation is moving forward; some sit in corners, whispering to this one, whispering to that one, with students, with professors, with each one in a different way, with ordinary people in another way, spreading despair. No, the reality is exactly what he said. Of course, he mentioned the medical sector; it is the same in various sectors, and friends have raised issues in various sectors. Of course, I noticed that some of these friends who spoke are not aware of some parts; I am aware. For example, in military technologies, many strange and wonderful works have been done. Those things that one sees on television are just the showcase; the showcase cannot show the true nature of the work and the greatness of the work and the complexity of the work. A lot of work has been done.

One of the gentlemen spoke about the very important issue of producing thought; this is completely correct. The foundation of science is philosophy; without philosophy, there is no science. If there is no philosophical deduction, science becomes meaningless. Producing thought is very important. Of course, producing thought is more difficult than producing science. Thinkers and intellectual elites are exposed to vulnerabilities that scientific elites are less exposed to. Therefore, the work is a difficult one; but it is very important. The point raised was a correct one; I benefited from it and I accept it.

Regarding the history of rational thought, works are being done. The claim that no work has been done is incorrect; indeed, works are being done in this field. Well, philosophy belongs to us; the cradle of philosophy is our country. What exists in our country as philosophy is much closer to the meaning of philosophy than what is in the possession of the Westerners, whose philosophy today fills the world with noise. Well, let them work. Our seminaries are the center of philosophy; the graduates of the seminaries are great philosophy professors; fortunately, this meaning has also penetrated into the universities; therefore, in the field of producing thought - which is derived from a philosophical perspective - work must be done.

Regarding economics, correct statements were made; shortcomings have occurred; this work must definitely be done, and investment must be made. It was a very correct point that the money we spend for a dam or for a power plant or for a highway, we do not allocate that money for an important field of human sciences, which for example is economics. These statements are correct; we accept them.

One of the gentlemen mentioned the consumerist background of medicine. There is room for humor here: do you prescribe the medicine yourself or not? How much do you prescribe? He is a respected and reputable physician.

I had many recommendations; I noted multiple points here - which is actually a notebook - but since there is no time, I will only mention two of them. One is the issue of the scientific map. The comprehensive scientific map of the country - as I have been informed - fortunately, its final works have been completed and it is close to final approval and announcement. If this comprehensive scientific map is made available to all of us in universities, then we must work on it. Everyone must be committed and adhere to it. Firstly, the comprehensive scientific map requires an executive program. The officials of the governmental agencies must sit down and design a program so that this comprehensive scientific map can be operationalized and realized. As one of the gentlemen said, it should not just be that we produce knowledge, then do not publish it, set it aside, and not use it; we must utilize it. Secondly, the comprehensive scientific map must be alive, dynamic, and up-to-date. We do not want to create something for many years to come; this is for today. It is quite possible that in three years or five years, the situation will change in such a way that we will have to shift part of this map; we must do so. The map must be alive, dynamic, and up-to-date; a group must monitor this matter. Thirdly, the five-year development plans regarding what pertains to knowledge and higher education must be designed and planned precisely according to the comprehensive scientific map. The development plans must adhere to the comprehensive scientific map in this specific area. Additionally, there must be a strong mechanism for oversight; this was also mentioned by friends.

Another point is that the development of higher education must be in line with the objectives. The higher education officials must avoid non-objective development; because this is both a waste of money and a waste of human resources. We must see what we need, we must see what the objective is and where we want to reach; based on that, we should develop the educational space of higher education. Therefore, according to needs, we should pursue our objectives. In my opinion, this is a very sensitive and important issue. The main needs of the country in the fields of science and technology must be identified; the same goes for human sciences; based on these, planning must be done; it must be determined how many students we want, how many universities we need, what fields we require, and at what levels these fields should be taught and learned.

We hope that God Almighty helps all of us so that, God willing, we can provide what is pleasing to Him and necessary for the progress of the country and the continuous advancement of our nation; that we understand it with divine guidance and then, God willing, we can take steps towards it and devote all our efforts to it.

O Lord! Whatever we have said, place it for Yourself and in Your way; accept it from us. Guide and assist us in what we think, in what we contemplate, and in what we consider our duty. O Lord! Make the sacred heart of the Awaited One pleased with us. Make this Ramadan blessed for all of us.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.