By TCN News,
Mumbai: On the occasion of the 24th commemoration anniversary of Imam Khomeini, a grand Seminar was held on Tuesday, the 4th June 2013 at Jabir Hall of Islam Gymkhana by Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mumbai in association with Ishterak Education Society.
Nearly 300 persons from Mumbai’s active political and social groups and admirers of Imam Khomeini irrespective of sect and religion attended the gathering and paid their tribute to him. The title of the Seminar was Challenges to Contemporary World and Imam Khomeini’s School of Thought.
Mr. Masood Ebrahimi Khaleghi, the Consul General of Iran in Mumbai was the chief guest of the occasion. Famous senior writer and journalist Mr. Syed Basharat Shikooh presided over the proceedings of the Seminar.
The Seminar began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Qari Saiyed Salman Naqvi. Mr. Aamir Idrisi, President of Association of Muslim Professionals conducted the program.
As a host Mr. Mehdi Hassankhani the Director of CHIRI gave the welcome address. He said that as per the opinion of the leader of Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatullah Khamenei, the School of Imam Khomeini’s Thoughts is like a complete package having various dimensions and spirituality and rationality are 2 most importance aspects. In the spiritual dimension Imam Khomeini believed in non-reliance to external and material elements. As per this belief he was among those who were connected to God and believed in Divine assistance. In the rational dimension also, Imam referred to using wisdom, planning, science and calculations in governance. Absence of spirituality in the contemporary world is making the societies to confront serious challenges and it is only the human tendency towards spirituality and religion that gives a way out of the current crisis and challenges more than ever before.
On Behalf of Ishterak Education Society, Mr. Aamir Idrisi gave the introduction about the organization and its activities. He further shared his thoughts on Imam Khomeini and focused on being organized and following the leader. He said that the leaders are born and not created. Muslim Ummah should identify our leaders and follow them faithfully. He further said that, it is the need of the hour to get organized at each and every level for the upliftment of the community in all aspects.
The first speaker of the seminar Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi in his speech said that it was a good opportunity to sit together and analyze the present situations and conditions and then think and ponder about Imam Khomeini’s sayings, vision and the outlook with which he looked at the Ummah. The history of revolutions in not new to the world, many revolutions came and left its results and outcome. But there is a huge difference between those revolutions and the Islamic Revolution of Iran. Other revolutions were for the purpose of snatching power and government but Islamic Revolution was for changing the line of thinking. It was like an explosion of light and its light of results was not temporary but its effects can be seen in the whole world since last more then three decades. It was a global movement, it did not influence only the Muslim nations but even the non-Muslim nations came under its effects. In the movements of Egypt, Libya and North Africa we find the blood of Islamic Revolution running in its veins. He said that, Islamic Revolution has changed the very thought of these nations. Imam Khomeini’s life has many aspects, the more it is to be studied, the more paths and aspects gets revealed.
Advocate Yusuf Abrahani (Ex-MLA, Maharashtra) talked about the crisis of Muslim leadership and its revival. Giving example of Imam Khomeini’s revolution and his leadership qualities he emphasized that only unity among Muslims and considering Imam Khomeini as the ideal leader by following his pattern will make the Islamic world to be a secure place. He said that the Political Leaders are not actual leaders, they are social workers. Leader is someone who changes the thinking of the entire group which he is leading. The leader uplifts the followers in all aspects.
Mr. S. Balakrishnan, Senior Journalist, Former Bureau Chief of TOI, and presently Editor of Deshbhakti Andolan, an English weekly spoke on The Global Politics and Imam Khomeini. Mr. Balakrishnan told that he had the privilege to interview the first President after the Islamic Revolution Mr. Ali Khomeini when he came to Delhi. Mr. Balakrishnan said that more than ever before, Imam Khomeini’s thoughts are relevant not only for Iran but for the whole world. Imam Khomeini’s struggle and fight against the Shah became so massive that the might of America which was de facto ruling Iran, failed. Mr. Balakrishnan covered various issues of contemporary world like current crises of Syria, American policy about Iran and political crises in India in terms of American dictatorship in internal matters. He concluded by saying that Indians, including Muslims and Non-Muslims, has to take lessons from Iranian public and Imam Khomeini so that they can stand up against the oppressive powers of the time and regains their rights and dignity.
Chief Guest of the Seminar, H.E. Mr. Khaleghi started his address by saying that it is very difficult to understand the personality of Imam Khomeini. He had a multi-dimensional personality. Mr. Khaleghi gave a brief history right from the Pahlavi dynasty in Iran to the nationalization of oil industry in Iran and mentioned the events of 5th June 1961 when Imam Khomeini was arrested and sent to exile but remained in contact with the Iranian people upto the Revolution, The Revolution changed everything and all aspects of imperialism and westernization vanished. He had lots of great ideologies and thoughts for Islamic world but two most important were 1. women’s rights, he added nine new model principles to the two previous models of westernized women and the cultural-literate women and showed to the people that women beside observing Hijab can be educated and effective for the society and 2. the best ideology he taught was self-reliance and freedom from any domination and believed in Neither west nor eastern pattern of governing.
The President of the proceedings of the seminar Syed Basharat Shikooh in his presidential speech gave brief remarks that our honesty demands that if we are Islamic then we should not leave the principles taught by Imam Khomeini. Imam Khomeini said that Muslims have all the qualities but are lacking in unity. If we get united and search the right path, success will surely be attained.
The Program was concluded by the Vote of Thanks by Ms. Rubina Firoz, General Secretary of the Ishterak Education Society.