The Office for Foreign Pilgrims’ Affairs at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) has hosted a group of international students at Iranuniversities as part of the graduation ceremony.

The ceremony which was held in Dar al-Marhamah portico of the holy shrine had foreign students from some 20 countries in attendance.

Afghanistan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, China, Ivory Coast, Iraq, Syria, Georgia, India, and Nigeria were some of these countries. 

Congratulating the group on their graduation, Hoj. Seyyed Mohammad Zolfaghari, deputy for international affairs at Scientific and Cultural Foundation, said: “Achieving knowledge and science is a great example of one’s enjoyment of good things”.  

He added: “A student who is making endeavors in his personal education is like a person who is doing Jihad in the path of God.

Based on what we have learned from Ahl al-Bayt’s (AS) school of thought, we have to employ our science in a way that it can come to overcome problems of the society”. 

Zolfaghari further noted: “Sheikh Baha’i is our role model in acquiring knowledge and serving people; this great scholar took care of people's needs by his enjoyment and inspiration of religious teachings. Sheikh Baha’i did his best to create public utility organizations and to take care of the needs of the poor and the orphans”.

As another keynote speaker of the ceremony, Hashem Dadashpour, deputy minister of science, research, and technology, said: “This ceremony is a starting point for more interactions with foreign students and universities”

He added: “Students from 119 countries are studying in Iran and we are doing our best to upgrade scientific and cultural contacts although there are some problems ahead”. 

He stated: “Although there are some differences in the Islamic world, we must emphasize commonalities and avoid differences. It is in this way that the necessary grounds for development, excellence and prosperity of human societies can be created”.