According to a report released by the cultural house of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sudan, Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani, member of Ahlul-Bait (A.S.) World Assembly met the culture minister of Sudan, Mr. Samuel Khalafallah 7 June 2012. In this friendly meeting the two sides discussed ways to expand scientific and cultural ties especially in cyber-related areas.

In this meeting, Mr. Jawad Turkabadi, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sudan, Hojjatoleslam Sayyid Hamed Malakuti Tabar, the cultural attaché of the Iranian embassy, Ayatollah Hadavi, Mr. Hasan Khakrand, the general director of the Ahlul-Bait World Assembly in Africa and Arab countries and Mr. Alireza Fadavi accompanied the Iranian cultural delegate.

The meeting started with the cultural attaché introducing Ayatollah Hadavi Tehran to the minister of culture of the host country. Thereupon, Iran’s ambassador to Sudan thanking the Sudanese culture minister as one of the outstanding cultural figures and thinkers of Sudan, described Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani’s journey to Sudan as important for boosting scientific and cultural relations between the two countries. He expressed hope that such relations would be lasting and sustainable.

Thereupon, Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani speaking to the Sudanese minister said that he was happy to travel to Quranic country of Sudan. He termed the ground for scientific and cultural cooperation as ‘very much paved’ and expressed hope that in view of the two countries’ good political ties, the cultural and scientific relations between the two countries would further expand especially in common areas. Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani went on speaking about the scientific and cultural activities he had conducted in the Seminary and university and especially in the Porch of Wisdom Institute. He gave a short account of the goals and programs of this institute especially in the digital area (internet) and also the achievements made so far by the institute.

Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani further elaborated on the current status of digital information on the global internet network and the widespread influence of Zionists in the cyber world even in matters or teachings related to Muslims. He underscored the importance of a joint work team of Muslims to get rid of the Zionists’ intellectual domination. “We have proposed and launched Islampedia – an Islamic encyclopedic website – against the existing online encyclopedia on the internet so that Muslims and lovers of the religion of Islam can benefit from the lofty teachings of the last religion and divine Shari’ah on the basis of religious and scientific principles which are put forth by Muslim scholars cutting off thereby the hands of the Global Arrogances and Zionists from this vital arena.

Ayatollah Hadavi said that this project can be completed and its objectives are materialized on the condition that all the thinkers of various Islamic religions in Muslim countries collaborate and contribute towards it. He expressed hope that Sudanese religious and scientific institutions and academic centers would, by taking active part in this regard, prepare the ground for public use of Arab speakers based on the fiqh of the four schools of jurisprudence.  He stressed that those interested in religious studies will, after getting acquainted with the teachings and principles of other jurisprudential religions, get acquainted with more common areas and the areas of unity in the principles of various Islamic religions. As a result, those who conspire against Muslims and try to sow seeds of discord among them will be exposed.

Following the statements made by Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani, Mr. Samuel Khalafallah, the Sudanese Culture minister once again extended his warm welcome to the guests. He said that his ministry had close ties with the cultural house and embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He referred to instances of mutual cooperation between the two sides including the “Cultural Week Program” which was held in Sudan. He further said that he and his team in the Sudanese Ministry of Culture were ready to help further expand the ties especially in areas which involve less financial costs but the most financial benefits. He expressed hope and said that an instance of this cooperation the presence of the two countries’ intellectuals and artists in various art related and cultural areas. Their presence, as he said, does not impose high costs but entails profuse benefits for both countries.

In response to Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani’s response, he introduced “Aruqah”, a cultural institute which he himself had established in the year 2002 and which is active in various cultural and religious areas. He described Ayatollah Hadavi’s journey to Sudan as a welcome opportunity for creating ties between the two institutes and for conducting other cultural activities on the part of the two sides. He said that he would facilitate the Iranian delegate’s visit to the Aruqah Institute.

Following the meeting, Ayatollah Hadavi and the culture minister of Sudan dedicated each other some of the their works along with some gifts.  It is pertinent to mention that while Samuel Khalafallah was discussing cultural and religious issues with the Iranian delegates, he sought Ayatollah Hadavi’s view points in regards to certain historical and juridical issues. The latter’s complete explanation especially on matters regarding the philosophy of legal theories (ilm al-usul) which have been explicated by himself attracted the attention of the Sudanese culture minister.

Office of Ayatollah Hadavi Tehrani