Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the head and members of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom. 
Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the head and members of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom.
His Eminence described the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom as a unique and deep-rooted organization which has stood the test of time both during and after the Islamic Revolution and has strongly followed the path of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and the Revolution.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further reiterated: "The Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom should preserve its strong identity and act as a standard for seminaries as well as the public atmosphere of the country."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the efforts and opposition of the members of the society during the oppressive rule of the Pahlavi regime and added: "During that difficult period, the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom issued statements in support of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and emerged victorious out of the test it was put to by paying the price for signing those statements."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that some individuals and movements made efforts during the early stages of the Revolution to disintegrate the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom. He further added that the insistence of the society on following the path of the Imam (r.a.) and the influential role of the society were the reasons behind these efforts.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further stressed that the strong and influential identity of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom should be persevered.
He further stated that there are some prerequisites for achieving this goal and added: "One of the important duties of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom is to maintain and strengthen its relationship with the honorable marja taqlids."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom should strengthen its relationship with the people, explore new methods of communication and create think tanks. "These are essential issues for the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom," he noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei further referred to some of the issues mentioned by some members of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom with regard to the cultural issues of the IRIB and said: "I believe that the clergy and the Islamic seminaries are responsible for some of the shortcomings which exist in the cultural arena, particularly in the IRIB and the educational system. This is because the clergy and Islamic seminaries are responsible for creating an appropriate cultural orientation that is in line with the values and religious beliefs."
Ayatollah Khamenei further added: "The presence of the clergy in the IRIB does not only mean delivering lectures and sermons. Rather, this presence should be more substantial and influential."
Ayatollah Khamenei further reiterated: "Fulfilling this important duty requires a group of clergy who are familiar with artistic matters - particularly how deviation occurs in art - and the methods of preventing deviation in cultural and artistic orientations."
At the end of the meeting, the participants said their mid-day prayers led by the Leader.