Imam Khomeini’s views on Academic Institutions and Academicians

362 Pages·2021·2.143 MB·English

by  Dr. Hamza Aziz (Editor)

IMAM KHOMEINI’S VIEWS ON
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND
ACADEMICIANS

Edited by
Dr. Hamza Aziz
Book Title: Imam Khomeini’s views on Academic Institutions and Academicians
Editor: Dr. Hamza Aziz
Graphics: Dr. Fatima Reza
Publisher: Heritage International Inc., Tehran, I.R. Iran.
Year: 2021
ISBN: 978-1-7330284-8-6

Copyright © 2021 by the Heritage International Inc., Tehran, I.R. Iran.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical,
photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherwise, without the prior written permission
of Heritage International Inc.

Heritage International Inc.
CONTENTS

PREFACE .......................................................................................................................... i
SECTION I
THE GREAT VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE
The Aim of Education and Training .......................................................................... 3
Encouragement to Acquire Knowledge .................................................................... 7
Knowledge and Faith - Belief and Professional Expertise .................................. 14
SECTION 2
UNIVERSITIES BEFORE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION
Colonial Culture and Lack of Real Progress ........................................................... 47
Suppression and Attacks on Universities ................................................................ 86
SECTION 3
UNIVERSITY AND CULTURAL REVOLUTION
Universities and Anti-Revolutionary Groups ......................................................... 95
The Need for Cultural Revolution ......................................................................... 110
Establishment of Headquarter for Cultural Revolution ...................................... 143
SECTION 4
THE MISSION OF UNIVERSITIES
Manufacturing Human Beings ................................................................................ 161
Cutting-off Dependence and Independence of Country .................................... 170
Prosperity of Nations ............................................................................................... 177
Protection and Continuation of Islamic Revolution ........................................... 182
Reconstruction and Development.......................................................................... 186
SECTION 5
UNIVERSITY FACULTY MEMBERS IN THE VIEWS OF IMAM
KHOMEINI
Responsibilities of University Faculty Members Towards Society .................... 191
Imam’s Expectations from the University Faculty Members ............................ 199
SECTION 6
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE VIEWS OF IMAM KHOMEINI
Responsibilities of University Students Towards Society ................................... 211
Imam’s Expectations from University Students .................................................. 217
Islamic Students Associations ................................................................................. 228
SECTION 7
PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION ABROAD
Studying Abroad in the Views of Imam Khomeini ............................................. 251
Role and Responsibilities of University Students Living Abroad...................... 261
SECTION 8
SEMINARIES (Howzeh) AND UNIVERSITIES
Role of Colonialists in Separation of Seminaries from Universities ................. 295
Communication between Seminaries (Howzeh) and Universities ....................... 319
INDEX ........................................................................................................................... 343
PREFACE
Imam Khomeini pioneered a new era in world politics, however, it is not widely
appreciated that he was also a great academician. Though he was a theologian, he had
unique, modern and revolutionary vision of education from primary school to higher
education, role of universities and religious seminaries and responsibilities of teachers,
university faculty members and scholars. His ten years of exceptional politico-academic
leadership in building new Iran based on resistance against global hegemony and
principles of Islamic teachings, transformed the entire education system of country
after the success of Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Imam emphasized key role of self-purification and self-reconstruction before
acquisition of knowledge, education and training together, character building and
acquisition of knowledge and skills side-by-side and ethical development with
professional development. According to him, teachers, both from the schools, colleges
and universities and the Islamic seminaries are the builders of a nation. They have
important and heavy task not only to nurture and train intellectuals but also develop
highly skilled human beings who in future, will build society, serve the poor, needy and
downtrodden and will also play key role in the future leadership, management and
politics of country at different levels.
Another important point that is clearly seen in the speeches and writings of Imam
Khomeini is the pivotal role of universities. According to him, all the changes in any
society originate from universities. Universities are the factories of manufacturing
human beings and universities can make a nation successful. On the other hand,
universities with corrupted education and culture can destroy the entire nation and
bring the country to its knees.
According to him, the greatest dangers to universities is penetration by individuals,
faculty members, intellectuals and scholars with deviant, western influenced thinking
and lifestyle. This leads to bad education, training and moral upbringing of young
students and distorted notion of education and service of fellow human beings, society
and country in their minds. Such individuals especially instructors can make their
students neglectful towards self-building and service to society. In addition west-
toxication of their souls and lifestyle leads to spread of different types of moral and
ideological corruption in the society. A highly educated but distorted young intellectual
is more dangerous than an ignorant individual.
Finally, Imam Khomeini being a theologian, emphasizes divine aspects of education
and training. According to him the profession of teachers and faculty members is
similar to the mission of all the prophets. The divinely sent prophets purified human
i
souls and educated them and reformed whole society – freeing it of corruption and
oppression. Similarly, teachers educate and train students and shape their character so
that they make progress in their careers and develop into not only successful
professionals of but also virtuous servants of God and humble supporters of their
fellow human beings in a society.
This book was compiled from the Persian version with the help of Sahifa of Imam
Khomeini in English. Extensive editing was carried out to make it suitable for English
speaking readers. I thank my student Mahdieh who really worked hard in preparing
this book. Thanks also to Dr. Fatima Reza for her help in converting it to final book
form.
I hope this book will enlighten readers in the field of education and training.
Dr. Hamza Aziz

ii
SECTION I
THE GREAT VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE