In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The start of the new academic year and the reopening of the houses of knowledge and virtue in schools and universities, heralds vitality, hope, and the nation’s swift movement toward a bright and glorious future. This is a future whose realisation rests in the capable hands of the dear children of Iran and those educated by the school of Islam and the Islamic Revolution. This is the same generation in which the Great Khomeini and the magnanimous Martyr Khamenei, may God elevate their noble stations, repeatedly expressed their hope.

Now that the gates of a new academic year are opening before a vast multitude of students, scholars, and wayfarers in pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and they begin a new chapter of learning and insight with hope in divine success, it’s fitting that we once again honour the memory of the students martyred in the recent Imposed War in sympathy with the grieving mothers and fathers. This year, the memorable days marking the start of the academic year renew the grief of separation from our departed children for us. In schools and universities, the absence of some students, professors, and teachers will be felt. And this sorrow will guide our minds toward the true nature of the conflict between good and evil, and the war between Truth and Falsehood.

It’s the responsibility of today’s students and scholars to strive to equip themselves with knowledge and piety, hope and ethics, and wisdom and capability. They must also remove the veils of ignorance and darkness so that by breaking the boundaries of knowledge and conquering the progress-building summits, they may fulfil their historic mission to elevate Islamic Iran. This task is carried out in a place that is their second home. Therefore, I say to these dear people that it’s necessary for you to always safeguard its sanctities in the best possible manner. And by continually raising your level of awareness and insight, and by improving your conduct and character, make this the focal point of your homeland’s progress. Take full advantage of the few years you spend in this sanctuary of knowledge, virtue, and vitality, and hope for your own self-improvement. This self-improvement includes self-improvement in the most important element of human life, which is connection with the Creator, the Exalted; self-improvement in your relations with your fellow human beings, your compatriots, and your family; and self-improvement in acquiring knowledge and attaining every kind of skill.

During this time, practice thinking correctly, taking action with initiative, and always be the guardians of the roots of your national identity, your cultural honour and independence, your mother tongue, the sacred flag of the Islamic system, and its other symbols. Soon the time will come when you will find your proper role in society. In fulfilling that role in the best possible manner, you will bring honour to yourselves and to your country.

▪️In an age when the savagery of the system of domination — particularly the criminal US government and the illegitimate Zionist regime — is rampant, the power that springs from knowledge, which is joined with piety and ethics, is like an iron shield and a sharp sword that protects humanity from the aggressors’ hand. You now sit in classrooms where the generations who sat on those dear benches shortly before you are now on the various fronts defending the homeland and honour of Islamic Iran, creating dignity and authority. They will be models and guiding lights for you, just as before them, there were those in these same classrooms who are now counted to be among the exemplars of sacrifice, emblems of the nation’s grandeur, and legends of greatness and nobility.

A final word concerning teachers and professors. We are all indebted to our teachers in every stage of our education. This dear, beloved group — who often encounter the purest emotions of their students — deserves to be honoured by all, in every gathering, and at all times. The magnanimity and contentment typically observed in them don’t satisfy the officials regarding their current living conditions. God willing, through wise planning, effective efforts will be made to improve their living conditions, particularly since this matter is more than just the fulfillment of a legal duty and is something that arises from the heart.

May God’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon the professors, teachers, students, and scholars martyred in the Third Imposed War. At their forefront was our wise Leader and magnanimous, martyred mentor; may God elevate his noble station, who played a great role in the country’s remarkable acceleration in gaining knowledge. Furthermore, I wish to express my gratitude to all the mentors, teachers, and professors in the fields of knowledge, learning, and religion. I also offer my congratulations and welcome each and every one of the good students and scholars of the Iranian nation. May they, through the blessed prayers of our Master [Imam Mahdi], may God hasten his noble reappearance, be increasingly more successful in reaching the summits of knowledge, virtue, and progress, God willing

Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei

Shahrivar 31, 1405 AHS | [Sept. 22, 2026]

Reference: Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

Unity Week is not merely a time to speak about bringing Muslims closer together. According to Hojjatul Islam Sadiq Rauh, a professor at the Qom Seminary, it is a moment to re-examine the responsibility of theologians toward society.

Unity in action, not just words

When scholars and seminary students involve themselves in people’s lives — helping in difficult moments, running charitable and community projects, resolving the problems of believers — social distance shrinks, and trust grows. These are the deepest bonds of unity. And unity cannot be built by calls alone: it begins with the conduct of individuals themselves.

A legacy older than the Revolution

Citing Imam Khomeini (may God be pleased with him), who constantly stressed that “if people, regardless of group or tribe, maintain unity, no force and no army will be able to destroy them,” Rauh corrects a common misconception: Islamic unity did not begin with the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Its roots reach back to the Prophet Muhammad (S) himself.

A Quranic foundation

The Hadith of the Two Weighty Things (Saqalayn)

Transmitted as mutawatir1 in both Shia and Sunni sources, the Prophet (S) left behind two precious trusts — the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) — urging Muslims to cling to both and never stray.

The burden of the people of knowledge

Theologians and students must not only speak about unity — they must embody it, carry it to society, and resist everything that breeds hostility and division.

Muslim unity is not a political slogan. It is a religious principle, rooted in the Quran, the teachings of the Prophet (S), and the tradition of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).

Grand Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli has reaffirmed the bond between the Iranian people and the culture of Ashura, saying the spirit of Imam Husayn’s uprising (AS) remains alive among them today.

The senior cleric was speaking in a video message to a commemoration ceremony in the northern city of Amol for 398 martyrs of the Iranian Army. He paid tribute to all of them, singling out Major General Sayyed Masoud Monfared Niyaki — a freethinking and widely respected figure from Amol’s Sadat lineage who, he said, pursued a military career and ultimately attained martyrdom.

The culture of sacrifice is not confined to any one region, he said: “The Iranian nation has never initiated aggression, but it will give no quarter to any invader.” He recalled the 1981 uprising in Amol, when residents defended their city, and forty were killed after an enemy attack — an episode recorded in Imam Khomeini’s political-divine testament.

‘Islam is a religion of chivalry’

Much of the message concerned the conduct of war. Citing a narration from Imam Sadiq (AS) that the Prophet Muhammad (AS) never launched surprise night raids on his enemies, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli said:

“We are students of a divine school unparalleled in time and space. The Holy Prophet, despite facing enemies intent on killing him, never launched a night raid. Islam is a religion of chivalry and nobility, instructing us to fight even disbelievers with integrity, never deviating from humane and divine principles.”

He noted that Imam Ali (AS) would delay the start of battle as long as possible through dialogue and negotiation, preferring to begin later in the day so that the noon hour of divine mercy and the approach of night might limit the bloodshed — unless the enemy struck first and defence became imperative.

The presence and sacrifice of ordinary people in defending the country, he said, was a manifestation of divine support, citing the Quranic verse “It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers” (al-Anfal, Chapter 8, The Spoils of War, Verse 62). The spontaneous mobilisation of men, women, the young and the old, he said, was that promise made visible.

The magnetism of Ashura

“Our country and nation are Husayni,” the Grand Ayatollah affirmed. “The spirit that manifested in Imam Husayn’s uprising is alive and flowing among our people today.”

He recounted the sacrifice of Saeed ibn Abdullah Hanafi on the Day of Ashura as an enduring example of loyalty to Wilayah and the defence of truth, saying the secret of Ashura’s endurance lies in the sincerity and self-sacrifice of the Imam’s companions — a magnetic force that still draws millions to the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

He thanked the people for their steadfastness: “We appreciate each and every one of you — elders, brothers, sisters, daughters, and sons — who have held the ground,” adding his gratitude to the officials who had safeguarded the struggle.

A friendship of seventy years

In the message’s most affecting passage, the Grand Ayatollah — visibly choked with emotion — spoke of his friendship with the martyred Leader of the Revolution.

“We express our gratitude to the Supreme Leader and pray for our own martyr,” he said. “This dear friend of ours — from the day I entered Qom seventy years ago, despite a slight age difference, we were friends until now. A 70-year companionship is not a small thing. For a person to lose a friend of seventy years, it is no small loss.”

He closed by underlining the importance of security, calm, and national unity as the country’s most pressing needs. “God forbid we take a path that lacks divine approval,” he urged. “Never let a displeasing word leave your pure lips. If there is an opinion or a plan, it must be voiced in a friendly atmosphere. Let this country be administered with total calm and security, so that we may deliver this Islamic system to its true owner.”

He ended with prayers for the martyrs, for Imam Khomeini and the late president, asking God to resurrect all martyrs with Imam Husayn (AS) and to bestow special grace upon their mothers and families.

Reference: ABNA24