Faculties of Islamic studies must recondition

Iranian Alims (scholars of Islamic studies) held a 4-hour panel discussion with the Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei Thursday, exchanging views on different scientific and educational matters as well as the Islamic preaching concerns.

The Alims, including rectors, researchers and students were accredited to the schools of Islamic studies of the Qom, Mashhad and Esfehan provinces.

Ayatollah Khamenei placed a premium on planning for future and in this concern highlighted the position of the Supreme Council of the Qom school of Islamic studies and its prominent scholars and Marjayia.

"The essentiality of planning for the future will double as one considers the significant duties the Alims bear regarding the people's religious affairs," Ayatolah Khamenei noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei believed that an overhaul of the educational system was inevitable in the schools of Islamic studies across the country, adding that any shunning of the overhaul would prove ruinous or lead to isolation. The IR Leader urged the Alims to embrace and steer the overhaul idea.

The Islamic Revolution Leader identified training methods, research methods and curricular design as the educational fields in the Islamic studies schools which need an overhaul, adding that the schools must develop graduation degrees of their own.

"All these changes are necessary to recondition the educational system. However they must be administered so that the faculties are steered clear of such shortfalls as excessive chasing of academic achievements or plunge of knowledge levels among the students," the IR Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that an effective management is essential to run the overhaul scheme and in this he called for some changes in the management of the schools, noting that the prime target of the change would be the policy of the schools.

"The Supreme Council of Howzeh Elmiyeh (the Qom school of the Islamic studies) must undertake the job of policy making more than ever and in so doing it must share the views of the existing strong expert body within the schools to outline the prospects with an eye on the pace of the developments and scientific advances in the world," Ayatollah Khamenei urged.

Ayatollah Khamenei attached high significance to the administrative body of the educational centers, saying that the schools need to have a planning council with a command of modern-day scientific and planning methods.

The IR Leader also placed a premium on free-thought panels where students and researchers could debate their scientific opinions, noting that the history proves the Islamic educational centers have always been a center of free thought.

"Free-thought panels need to become a norm in the Islamic studies schools. The ground must be provided to accommodate different arguments," Ayatollah Khamenei urged.

The IR Leader also called for the establishment of academic boards on various disciplines.

Concerning preaching affairs, Ayatollah Khamenei urged for a scheme to review the existing contents and resources, suggesting that a center be established to train the students for the promotion of Islam in an international scope.