The Culture of Reading Must Be Institutionalized in Families and Society
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mohammad Reza Mohammadi, in an interview with our reporter on the occasion of Book and Reading Week, regarding the Supreme Leader’s emphasis on reading and increasing the per capita study rate among the people, said: Firstly, God Almighty stated that the first tool for human guidance provided to the Prophet of Islam was the book, which is the collection of written divine laws and commands.
The Prophet (PBUH) entrusted the book as a precious trust to the Ummah
The head of the office of the Supreme Leader’s representative in Sepah Hazrat Qamar Bani Hashem (PBUH) added: Secondly, in continuation of this divine command, the Prophets of God emphasized and advised people not to distance themselves from books, and the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) himself entrusted this book as one of two precious jewels to his Ummah as a trust.
Imams and Scholars, Guiding Lights for the Culture of Reading in Shiite Society
He continued: In continuation of this sacred movement, the infallible Imams (PBUH), in addition to the Quran; in different eras, commanded and advised the writing of books as a tool for guidance for the Islamic society, especially the Shiite society, with the first organized and purposeful action taking place during the time of Imam Sadiq (PBUH) with the writing of the 400 Principles, and again in continuation of this sacred movement, the attention of scholars, Marja’s, and elders towards the production, preservation, and dissemination of books in society and keeping the culture of reading alive is noteworthy.
Special Attention of the Leader to Promoting Books and Reading
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mohammadi said: In our time, the Supreme Leader, Imam Khamenei, is recognized as a complete and perfect model of study and reading, beyond the scope of seminary lessons, discussions, and education, and has had and continues to have wise divine actions, commands, and measures during his presidency and during the Sacred Defense era regarding the production, preservation, and dissemination of books, examples of which include his visits to book exhibitions and vast libraries, as well as his wise and precise endorsements on the books he studies.
Reading, My Daily Priority
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mohammadi stated about his priority for allocating time for reading books daily: I am familiar with books based on daily needs.
Family Library, a Step Towards Cultivating Reading Culture
He considered reading books for increasing awareness in various fields to be very useful and said: I have tried to take steps to increase the per capita book reading at home by creating a library, albeit limited and suitable for the needs of family members in the home environment, and sometimes purchasing books according to need or as gifts, etc.
Reading, a Factor in Enhancing Knowledge and Dynamism of the Sepah Organization
The head of the office of the Supreme Leader’s representative in Sepah Hazrat Qamar Bani Hashem (PBUH), in response to the question of how much books and reading contribute to increasing the awareness of Sepah personnel and their families and enhancing the organization’s dynamism, stated: Undoubtedly, it has a very high impact because our dear Pasdaran (Revolutionary Guards) daily need information and knowledge for their scientific, spiritual, and specialized growth.
Hojjat al-Islam Mohammadi’s Latest Book: Lessons from the Life of a Shiite Scholar
He noted about a brief summary of the last book he read: It was a book describing the life of a great Shiite scholar, from which many lessons and insights can be extracted, such as; attention to the principle of simple living, Islamic lifestyle, hadith, and effort in knowledge, education, and worship.
Enumeration and Provision of Books; Sepah’s Reading Movement Headquarters Program
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mohammadi, as the head of the Reading Movement Headquarters in the provincial Sepah, regarding his program to fulfill the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for developing reading in the Sepah for personnel, families, and dependents, said: Enumerating the reading status of individuals at different levels of personnel, soldiers, families, sons and daughters, and needs assessment and provision of necessary books and their dissemination, and holding competitions are on the agenda.
Encouraging Reading and Introducing New Books in Sepah’s Program
He added: Developing workshops and sessions to introduce new books, encouraging readers and reading, and creating motivation are among other programs to increase the per capita study rate.
Purifying and Activating Libraries; A Step Towards Reading Culture
Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mohammadi also said about the development and strengthening of libraries in the provincial Sepah: Purifying existing books and breaking the imprisonment of books in libraries and the desks of officials and non-officials, and establishing and activating open libraries accessible to personnel and visitors are among the actions taken in the provincial Sepah to achieve an increase in the per capita book reading.
Book Subsidy; An Effective Step in Enhancing Per Capita Reading
The head of the office of the Supreme Leader’s representative in Sepah Hazrat Qamar Bani Hashem (PBUH), while appreciating the efforts and effective actions of cultural and propaganda officials of various Sepah ranks in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in the field of books and reading, stated: For developing reading, it is suggested that; in addition to culturalization in families and society, pursuing and allocating book subsidies and including them in the livelihood basket of various segments of people and personnel in a targeted manner so that this subsidy is only spent on purchasing books, can be beneficial for developing reading.
