Books are a refuge for the soul and creators of parallel worlds / The necessity of returning reading to our lifestyle.
According to the correspondent of the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Kerman, at the “Book and Reading Promoters” meeting held at Jihad Daneshgahi Kerman, Mohammad Reza Sarfi emphasized the spiritual and civilizational status of books, stating: “A book is a divine gift that preserves the experiences of generations for today’s human beings and purifies the human soul from daily routines.”
Sarfi stated: “Different lives, from Sacred Defense warriors to individuals struggling with social harms, are conveyed to humans through books, expanding the reader’s perception without experiencing dangers.”
He added: “Two-thirds of the Quran is dedicated to narrating the history of past generations; books connect people and create a spiritual bond among them.”
According to him, “We are all people of the book; not only in the jurisprudential sense but also in the sense of people of knowledge and study. A book is not just a tool for knowledge but also a refuge for the soul.”
This university professor, referring to the role of books in Iran’s cultural heritage, mentioned Avicenna and Mas’ud Sa’d Salmān, and said: “Great figures of culture were shaped by books, and if it weren’t for books, experiences would vanish with the death of individuals.”
In another part of his speech, Sarfi elaborated on the psychological processes of reading, explaining: “When reading, the reader’s brain actively visualizes and creates a parallel world; a world that has no limitations of the real world.”
He said: “The reader is not passive; they guess, predict, are surprised, and experience sorrow and joy with the characters. For this reason, reading is the most powerful form of training the mind and soul.”
Emphasizing the importance of reading during times of psychological crises and social pressures, he said: “The choice of books should be appropriate to individuals’ emotional conditions.” He clarified: “Books do not just bring knowledge; they are a beacon for action; knowing without acting is not enough.”
Sarfi, referring to the three existential foundations of human beings – thought, emotion, and imagination – stated: “Books enter all three realms and lead to the depth of thought, the refinement of emotion, and the breadth of imagination.”
He added: “If we separate ourselves from the companionship of great thinkers and artists, we deprive ourselves of the best moments of life. Today, more than ever, we need books to return to people’s lives.”
The professor concluded his remarks with this sentence: “Life with books is a broader and more fruitful life; books help us think better, feel more beautifully, and imagine more freely.”
Jihad Daneshgahi’s Activities for Promoting Reading Culture
Mehdi Bazmandeh, Head of Jihad Daneshgahi of Kerman Province, emphasized the importance of promoting reading culture, saying: “A book is not just a collection of words; it is a bridge between past and future experiences and a means for individual and social growth.”
Bazmandeh announced extensive cooperation between Jihad Daneshgahi and the Coordinating Headquarters for Cultural and Artistic Centers of Mosques, stating that a memorandum of understanding will soon be signed between the two entities to implement Jihad Daneshgahi’s educational, skill-based, and cultural programs in two selected mosques in the province.
He elaborated on the three areas of Jihad Daneshgahi’s activities – educational, research, and cultural – and said: “This institution offers various courses for all age groups and has three active educational centers in Kerman city.”
He referred to the preparation of the “Kerman Province Prayer Establishment Document,” which was honored last year at the International Prayer Conference.
Bazmandeh detailed the activities of Jihad Daneshgahi’s publishing house from 1379 (1999/2000) to the present, stating that this entity publishes over 30 book titles annually and organizes programs such as ‘Fasl-e Sokhan’ (Season of Speech), critiques of humanities books, and a three-minute book competition.
He announced the launch of a comprehensive e-book platform, “16,” which provides digital access to all works of Jihad Daneshgahi for users across the country. He also mentioned the “Resistance School” system and the “Student City” project, launched with the aim of identifying and employing talented students in educational and research projects.
Bazmandeh considered mosque libraries as one of the best capacities for promoting reading and added: “Cultural activists in these libraries can be the link connecting people with Jihad Daneshgahi’s programs.”
He emphasized: “Promoting reading is a national investment and starts with us; by reading a few pages daily, gifting books, and turning reading into a beautiful habit.”
Mosque Centers’ Activities Towards Increasing Reading Per Capita
Ali Mahdikhani, Director of the Coordinating Headquarters for Cultural and Artistic Centers of Mosques in Kerman Province, stated that the programs of these centers are designed to place books in families’ cultural baskets, introducing the “Saturdays with Books” and “Danayi” (Knowledge) initiatives as core activities.
Mahdikhani added: “Activities are not limited to reading; the cultural teams of the centers also pursue book-based artistic and media productions; for example, the book ‘The Ninth Day Soldier’ is being re-created for artistic works and animation.”
