Lectures by Mohammad-Ali Movahed and Mostafa Malekian at the University of Tabriz

On Wednesday evening, at the inauguration ceremony of the 'Safā-ye Omid' Cultural and Artistic Institute held at the Vahdat Hall of the University of Tabriz, Dr. Mohammad-Ali Movahed stated: Philanthropic school-builders have proven that whenever the government has sincerely extended a hand of supplication to the people, it has been met with a warm and empathetic response. He added that the region of Azerbaijan has a brilliant experience in this field, noting: Men like the late Mardani Azar rose from this land and built hundreds of schools across this country. The prominent Iranian Rumi scholar, stating that a school emerging from the hands of philanthropists is like a painting or a statue that lacks a spirit, said: The work of philanthropy is only the construction of the school, and its animation is the task of the government. Movahed, stating that our educational system is in dire need of change, remarked: This change must be carried out with deep insight and by people who have accumulated experience. He also, referring to school construction, said: After the inauguration of a school, our problem is books and reading; we realized that the school environment considers the book a strange, alien, and even bothersome and superfluous phenomenon. Movahed, stating that the prevailing atmosphere had essentially created a sense of alienation from books in students, added: Consequently, we thought of establishing a library adjacent to the school to bring the book into families. The country's prominent Rumi scholar announced that among the programs of the Sabā-ye Omid Cultural and Artistic Institute are programs related to Shams and Rumi and research, and said: Even if Tabriz had nothing but Shams-e Tabrizi, it would still have the right to be proud of itself. Movahed continued: If Shams-e Tabrizi had not existed, there would have been no Rumi, and professors must strive to turn Tabriz into a scientific hub. Reciting this poem by Rumi: 'The benefactors died, but their benefactions remain / Blessed is he who rides this steed / The Prophet said: Blessed is he who / Departs from the world, leaving behind good deeds / The benefactor dies, but his benefaction does not die / Near God, religion and benefaction are not insignificant,' he emphasized the necessity of promoting good traditions and philanthropic work in society. He said: The call to philanthropic work is the very matter for which the prophets came, and this is the only field in which rivalry is praiseworthy. Movahed, stating that whoever takes one step on the path of good, that goal comes ten steps closer to him, remarked: It is stated in the Quran to repel evil with good. The non-commercial 'Safā-ye Omid' Cultural and Artistic Institute has commenced its work through the efforts of Dr. Mohammad-Ali Movahed, the prominent Iranian Rumi scholar, in the Yaghchian town of Tabriz, with the aim of elevating the level of education and art for adolescents, identifying and encouraging talented students, and striving to nurture their talents. Assisting talented underprivileged students, establishing a public library usable at all educational levels, and undertaking research to introduce great figures and draw the younger generation's attention to Iran's cultural and national honors are among the goals of this institute.

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