In the Name of the Most High
I would like to congratulate all the dear teachers, who engage in developing the minds of the country’s children and young adults in schools, universities and Islamic seminaries, on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.
Imam Khomeini’s words describing teaching as being the job of the prophets was not a mere slogan. It was based on a verse from the Holy Qur’an, “He it is Who raised among the illiterates an Apostle from among themselves, who recites to them His communications and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom.” [62:2] Purification, teaching, Book and divine wisdom are four key terms in the call of Islam and all of the prophets. Another key term is administering justice. In the school of the prophets, the generations of human beings are developed through the use of the Book and wisdom, and then they build a life based on justice. In this way, human societies move closer to the purpose of human beings’ creation.
The Islamic government was established on the basis of this goal, the formation of a religious, just, ideal society. Naturally, the educational system of the country cannot pursue a goal in opposition to the overall goal pursued by the whole system.
Children, the youth and young adults in our Islamic country learn that they should develop and utilize their talents and their potential capabilities on the path of achieving lofty national values – Islamic and revolutionary values.
This vital training and the method for its realization is the great work and blessed jihad that teachers have undertaken.
Islam invites us to acquire beneficial knowledge. On the one hand, beneficial knowledge equips young Iranians with the necessary tools for the progress and growth of their country and their people. On the other hand, it gives them identity and enriches them with dignity, psychological and spiritual esteem, and self-confidence.
A young generation, which is shaped and developed in this direction, is such tremendous wealth and a great asset that no other valuable phenomenon is equal to it.
This wealth is the product of the work and motivation of teachers in schools, universities and Islamic seminaries. May God’s mercy and grace be upon their diligent hands and motivated hearts.
In addition, our young generation is thankfully familiar with brilliant and outstanding role models whose likes can rarely be found in today’s materialistic world.
Examples we can mention include: Martyr Chamran, Martyr Avini, the martyrs for nuclear science, Martyr Soleimani and the great Martyr Motahhari, who shone in the Islamic Seminaries of Qom and the University of Tehran while he was in his thirties. Then, he flew into the heavens with the wings of martyrdom when he was in his fifties.
May God’s greetings be upon the martyrs. We thank our teachers and welcome the promising young generation of the Iranian nation.
Sayyid Ali Khamenei
May 1, 2020