Message on the Occasion of the Beginning of the Week of Books

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

The celebration of the Week of Books in our dear country and its announcement by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is a source of glad tidings and hope for me. Today, any action that leads to the expansion of public awareness and strengthens the power of thought and understanding of knowledge among our talented people is a great virtue. A book is a gateway to the vastness of knowledge and wisdom, and a good book is one of the best tools for human perfection. All of humanity's achievements throughout the life of the world, insofar as they can be documented, are among the writings that humans have created and continue to create. In this unparalleled collection, there are divine teachings, the lessons of prophets to humanity, and the knowledge and insights without which human happiness is impossible. Anyone who does not connect with this beautiful and life-giving world, the world of books, is undoubtedly deprived of the most important human achievements and the greatest divine and human knowledge. For a nation, it is a great loss if its people do not engage with books, and for an individual, it is a great success to be familiar with books and constantly benefit from them, meaning learning new things. With this perspective, one can clearly understand the deep symbolic value and meaning of this historical truth that the first command of Almighty God to the noble Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) is to read! And in the first chapter revealed to that great messenger of God, the pen is mentioned with reverence: 'Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen.'

It is with bitterness that we must admit that the prevalence of books and the spirit of reading among our dear nation, which has been one of the torchbearers of culture, books, and knowledge throughout history since the advent of Islam, is far less than what is expected from such a nation. This phenomenon, like most unfortunate phenomena in our country, is the result of the rule of oppressive, corrupt, uncultured, and illiterate kings and rulers over this country in the past two hundred years. During a time when some other nations were turning towards knowledge, research, and understanding, our ancient and talented nation remained distant from knowledge and understanding under the domination of those vile, selfish, oppressive, and unworthy individuals. In the recent period, when the puppet and corrupt Pahlavi government carried out all actions according to the wishes of foreigners and the enemies of this nation, not only was there no effort to promote books and reading, but by creating unhealthy distractions and fueling sexual desires among the youth, this urgent necessity was further removed from the public's attention. In one of the best periods when global conditions allowed for fundamental changes in the unfortunate situation of the Iranian nation, our oppressed nation was deprived of it, and matters reached the point where, according to reports of that time, in the city of Tehran and some other cities, the number of taverns exceeded the number of libraries and bookstores or was several times greater.

Now the Iranian nation must compensate for the setbacks. A unique opportunity has arisen from the governance of religion and knowledge over Iran, which must be utilized to elevate the thought and culture of this country. Today, reading and learning are not only a national duty but a religious obligation. Above all, the youth and adolescents must feel this duty, although when familiarity with books becomes widespread, reading will not be a duty but a delightful activity, an urgent need, and a means to adorn one's personality. Not only the youth, but all generations and classes will turn to it out of desire and enthusiasm.

The other side of this golden coin must also be considered: authors, translators, and book creators have a valuable task and a great reward alongside a heavy responsibility. In a book-reading society, the creator and provider of books must be honored, and they must also perform their work with attention to its impact and importance. The nourishment of the mind and spirit must be offered healthily and nutritiously, and anyone who acts otherwise commits a mistake or a crime greater than that of offering unhealthy or insubstantial food.

I hope that the dear officials in the Ministry of Guidance and other esteemed individuals involved in promoting and facilitating books and reading, with the arrival of this week, create a new day, a new work, and a new hope regarding this important and vital subject, and that we will see the signs of all this before us in the near future. I ask for divine help and success and the attention of His Holiness the Master of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) for all of you.