30^th October 2024 till 5^th November 2024

24-31 October

Global Media and Information Literacy Week

In 2021, the UN General Assembly decided to commemorate Media and Information Literacy (MIL) week, citing the need for the dissemination of factual, timely, targeted, clear, accessible, multilingual and science-based information. The resolution recognizes that the substantial digital divide and data inequalities that exist among different countries and within them, can be addressed in part by improving people’s competencies to seek, receive and impart information in the digital realm. In the current ecosystem of complex and sometimes contradictory messages and meanings, it is hard to conceive of the public good being advanced, if the public is disempowered in the face of opportunities and threats. Each individual needs to be equipped with media and information literacy competencies to understand the stakes, and to contribute to and benefit from information and communication opportunities. Global Media and Information Literacy Week, commemorated annually, is a major occasion for stakeholders to review and celebrate the progress achieved towards “Media and Information Literacy for All.”

30th October – Rabi’ II 26

Demise of al-Sayyid Muhammad Hasan al-Husayni (Agha Najafi Ghoochani) 1363/1944

Agha Najafi Ghoochani (1878 – 1944) was a prominent Shia scholar and jurist. Born in the village of Ghoochan, he began his religious studies locally before moving to the seminaries of Mashhad and then Najaf, where he studied under great teachers like Akhund Khorasani and Sayyid Mohammad-Kazim Yazdi. After returning to Iran, Agha Najafi dedicated himself to teaching and guiding the public, known for his humility, simplicity, and sincerity.

His most notable works are Seyahat-e Sharq (“Journey to the East”) and Seyahat-e Gharb (“Journey to the West”). Seyahat-e Sharq is a memoir and travelogue, detailing his journey from childhood to his studies in Najaf and his experiences there. The book vividly portrays the cultural and social atmosphere of the Najaf seminary during that period and the challenges of seminary life, particularly the hardships students faced in such constrained conditions. Seyahat-e Gharb, on the other hand, is an allegorical journey to the afterlife, exploring concepts of the soul, death, and the intermediate realm (Barzakh). In this work, Agha Najafi describes life after death through a narrative that encourages readers to reflect on faith and morality, aiming to inspire a strengthened commitment to spiritual values. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Seyahat-e Gharb offers a contemplative and enlightening perspective on the world beyond.

1st November 2024 – Rabi’ II 28

Demise of Allamah Amini 1390/1970

Allamah Abdul Hossein Amini (1281–1390 AH), widely known as Allamah Amini, was one of the most distinguished Shia scholars and researchers of the 20th century. His work is highly regarded, particularly for his monumental book, Al-Ghadir, which stands as a comprehensive encyclopedia of history, hadith, and Islamic theology. This book has established Allamah Amini as a highly respected figure throughout the Islamic world.

Major Contributions and Notable Works of Allamah Amini:

The Book Al-Ghadir:

Subject: Al-Ghadir is an in-depth encyclopedic work on the historical event of Ghadir Khumm, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is said to have appointed Ali (AS) as his successor. In this text, Allamah Amini meticulously uses Sunni and Shia sources to demonstrate the legitimacy and significance of Imam Ali’s (AS) leadership from an Islamic perspective.

Scope and Research: Spanning eleven volumes, Al-Ghadir involved an extensive study of over 10,000 books, requiring Allamah Amini to visit libraries across the Islamic world. It covers history, hadith (sayings of the Prophet), Islamic jurisprudence, and literature.

Impact: Al-Ghadir has had a profound influence on both Shia and Sunni scholars and remains a valuable resource for understanding Islamic history and the importance of the Ghadir event. It has contributed significantly to fostering unity and understanding within the Islamic world.

Establishment of the Imam Ali Public Library in Najaf:

Allamah Amini founded a public library in Najaf, Iraq, to preserve and make accessible rare and important Islamic manuscripts. This library has become an essential research center and has significantly contributed to academic studies within the Islamic seminary community in Najaf.

Research in Hadith and Islamic Theology:

Beyond Al-Ghadir, Allamah Amini conducted considerable research in hadith, Islamic jurisprudence, principles of faith, and theology. He dedicated much of his work to highlighting common values and shared beliefs between Sunni and Shia schools of thought, aiming to promote Islamic unity.

Literary Contributions:

In addition to his scholarly research, Allamah Amini appreciated Islamic poetry and literature. In Al-Ghadir, he included poems in praise of Imam Ali (AS) and the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Prophet), demonstrating that devotion to the Prophet’s family has historically resonated with poets and scholars across the Islamic world.

Through his works, especially Al-Ghadir, Allamah Amini has made lasting contributions to Islamic scholarship, preserving essential resources and illuminating key historical truths. His work remains an inspiration for promoting knowledge, understanding, and respect for Islamic heritage.

3rd November 2024 – Jamadi I 1

1309 AH – Issuing a fatwa by Sayyid Muhammad Hasan Shirazi declaring that the use of Tobacco is haram during the Tobacco Movement, (December 3, 1891 CE)

The Tobacco Movement in Iran saw one of the most significant interventions of a religious authority into public policy and social justice, led by Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Hasan Shirazi. In 1891, Sayyid Shirazi issued a fatwa declaring the use of tobacco as haram (forbidden), in response to the Qajar Shah’s decision to grant a British company a monopoly over the production, sale, and export of tobacco in Iran. This foreign concession had far-reaching implications, as it threatened the economic independence of the Iranian people and disadvantaged local producers. Sayyid Shirazi’s fatwa ignited widespread resistance, as tobacco was deeply woven into Iranian social life and culture. The declaration effectively mobilised Iranians from all walks of life—merchants, scholars, and ordinary citizens—resulting in a nationwide boycott of tobacco. This unity forced the Shah to annul the concession, marking a rare victory for public solidarity against foreign influence and government corruption. Sayyid Shirazi’s fatwa exemplifies the role of religious leaders in standing against social injustices, with a legacy that continues to resonate in Iranian history as a profound example of religious authority used in defence of national sovereignty.

5th November 2024 – Jamadi I 3

1372 AH – Demise of Sayyid Muhammad Hujjat Kuhkamara’i, a Shi’a jurist, muhaddith, scholar of rijal, marja’, and the founder of Hujjatiyya seminary in Qom. (January 19, 1953)

He was born in 1310 AH (1271 SH) in Tabriz to a religious family. His family were descendants of the Sayyids of Kouh-Kamar, a village in the Ahar district of East Azerbaijan. His lineage traces back to Ali Asghar, the son of Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him), reaching Imam Sajjad himself through 25 generations. He was a branch of this sacred family tree, taking his spiritual lineage from it. He was the son of Sayyid Ali and the nephew of Sayyid Hussein Kouh-Kamari Tabrizi, a renowned scholar in Najaf. He pursued advanced studies in jurisprudence and principles of law in Najaf under the guidance of Mirza Habibullah Rashti, Fazel Iravani, and Fazel Sharbiani, with whom he held a high degree of respect. He received authorization for narration from Fazel Sharbiani, Zain al-Abidin Mazandarani, Sayyid Mohammad Bahr al-Uloom, and Mohammad Hassan Mamqani. His son, Mohammad, and Sayyid Shahab al-Din Mar’ashi Najafi received authorization from him.

After completing his studies, he returned to Tabriz and took on the responsibility of serving the religious needs of the people. Sayyid Ali passed away in Tabriz in 1319 SH. His body was transferred to Qom and buried in the courtyard of the shrine of Lady Masoumeh (peace be upon her).