Manuscripts of the late Mirza Mehdi Valaei, a prominent cataloger, unveiled

According to the correspondent of Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Mashhad, this ceremony, held on Tuesday evening, was the second pre-conference scientific session for the ‘100th Anniversary of Cataloging’ conference. It took place in the ‘Andisheh’ Hall of the Central Library of the Astan Quds Razavi Holy Shrine, with the presence of managers, experts, and researchers from the Astan Quds Razavi Libraries, Museums, and Document Center, as well as the son of the late Master Valaei.

The late Mirza Mehdi Valaei is considered one of the country’s prominent bibliographers and catalogers, who served at the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi and is buried in the Islamic Republic Courtyard of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS). In this program, in addition to unveiling a selection of the late Master Valaei’s manuscripts, a selection of his works was also introduced.

Master Valaei’s Wonderful State in Mashhad al-Reza (AS)

Hamed Naji Esfahani, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Isfahan University, who attended this unveiling ceremony online, spoke about his acquaintance and affinity with Master Valaei, focusing on his life, personality, and academic standing.

The speaker said in this regard: The late Valaei was born in 1281 SH (approx. 1902 CE) in Najaf, Iraq. He immigrated to Iran in 1314 SH (approx. 1935 CE) at the age of 33. He lived in Tehran for one year and then settled in Mashhad.

Naji Esfahani, emphasizing Master Valaei’s high academic standing in the fields of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and Usul (principles of Islamic jurisprudence), as well as his mastery of philosophical principles and terminology, also addressed the mystical dimension of the late Valaei.

He also stated: Master Valaei’s life and spiritual truth in holy Mashhad was his presence in the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), a spiritual state that was undoubtedly wondrous and envied by others.

Practical Exercise from Master Valaei’s Scientific Life

In another part of the program, Master Mohammad Vafadar Moradi, a veteran expert and researcher of manuscript books, referring to his first acquaintance with Master Valaei in the mid-1360s SH (mid-1980s CE), stated: The late Valaei had extensive background in the fields of wisdom and mysticism and had benefited from prominent masters in these fields.

Emphasizing Master Valaei’s personal humility, he said: He was a teacher of ethics and conduct, and in addition to being a pioneer in academic fields, including cataloging in the country, he consistently recited Quranic verses and prayers to the extent that this strengthened his memory.

Master Vafadar Moradi continued: The late Valaei had great precision regarding biographies of scholars and was highly proficient in writing the biographies of scholars, especially those of Mashhad. Also, biographies of the benefactors of Astan Quds Razavi can be seen in Master Valaei’s works.

This veteran researcher of manuscript books, pointing out that many scholars from different cities wished to meet Master Valaei, noted: This prominent bibliographer, in addition to speaking very eloquently, also had a beautiful and elegant writing style, and a concise and fluid pen.

It is worth mentioning that playing a video clip introducing a selection of the late Master Valaei’s activities at Astan Quds Razavi Library, commemorating his memory, and presenting blessed gifts to his family were other programs of this ceremony, organized by the Astan Quds Razavi Libraries, Museums, and Document Center.