Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Seyed Ali Shahcheraghi, the esteemed Friday Prayer Leader of the City of Ray

The fourth of Rabi’ al-Thani coincides with the birth of Hadhrat Abdul Adhim Hasani. On this occasion, we travelled from London to Ray to get acquainted with one of the most popular Friday prayers and an experienced and internationally recognized Friday prayer leader. Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Shahcheraghi was the guest of this week’s Friday Bulletin and answered our questions candidly and sincerely.

1. Hajj Aqa. Could you please briefly introduce the Friday prayer of Ray, both quantitatively and qualitatively?

The Friday prayer in the city of Ray began in 1981, and I have been the Friday prayer leader here for 12 years. The people of Ray are religious, and one of the characteristics of religious cities is the presence of the people at Friday prayers. The attendance at Friday prayer in Ray is magnificent, and under normal conditions, at least 4 to 5 thousand people participate in this religious ceremony. Regarding quality, a recent survey was conducted, and the opinions of the people regarding the content and quality of the prayer have been positive, with high satisfaction.

2. Considering that the presence of Hadhrat Abdul Adhim Hasani has turned the city of Ray into a center of religious sciences, could you briefly introduce this city from this perspective?

This city, in addition to the blessed presence of the holy shrine of Hadhrat Abdul Adhim Hasani, is the birthplace and residence of prominent figures such as the Kolayni family, Sheikh Saduq, and Ibn Babawayh. The Imams (peace be upon them) held special regard for ancient Ray, which extended to Nishapur. Imam Hadi (peace be upon him) introduced Hadhrat Abdul Adhim to Ray to come to this city. For this reason, Ray has become one of the oldest centers of religious sciences.

3. You have experience as a Friday prayer leader in different cities and countries. What innovations and creative initiatives have you introduced that have enriched the Friday prayer during your tenure?

Although a Friday prayer leader is a preacher, audience analysis is very important. The content of the sermons is crucial. I dedicate my Saturdays to studying the content for the first sermon and Thursdays to studying for the second sermon, as it covers all events. Another important point is the punctuality of the Friday prayer, which I am very sensitive about. Observing these features has played a significant role in increasing people’s participation.

4. Based on your experience in the United Arab Emirates, what are the characteristics of a successful Friday prayer leader, especially abroad?

The first is to be familiar and in close contact with the people. In addition to meetings in my office and with the public, I regularly visit the families of martyrs and make regular visits to the city’s various mosques-around 200 in total-to get closely acquainted with their issues and problems. In my opinion, this is the most important characteristic. Of course, following the advice of the Supreme Leader is also crucial for success.

5. What are these pieces of advice, and what are the most important expectations the Supreme Leader has had of you as a Friday prayer leader?

When I was dispatched to the UAE, the Supreme Leader told me: “I would have liked our Friday prayer leader there to be from the descendants of the Prophet, as the people in the southern region have great respect for the Sayyids (descendants of the Prophet).” The second point was that there should be no distance between you and the people. The third was to befriend the officials sent to that country. He also advised strengthening your connection with the Quran and to study at least one round of the Tafsir Shubbar. Avoid political disputes, do not associate with capitalists, avoid visiting only the homes of rich people, and another important piece of advice for success was maintaining a spiritual connection with God during the early dawn hours.

6. What place do the youth hold in your public relations efforts?

Connecting with the youth is one of my continuous efforts. For example, I frequently visit schools, both boys’ and girls’, at every level. There are many journalists in Ray, and through the media, I connect with the public, especially the youth.

7. Are you involved in social media and interacting with people through these platforms?

I do not personally have a page, but my office and clerics designated for these matters are in contact with the people and report back to me. However, my main interaction with the people is face-to-face, where they openly and easily share their opinions and, if necessary, their criticisms with me.

8. Do you have any experiences or memories from abroad that might be interesting for your colleagues in Europe and other parts of the world?

One of the issues we may encounter in any country is the distance between two Friday prayers. This problem might exist in Iran, and we had it in the UAE as well. I heard that this issue also exists in London. According to the religious ruling of the Supreme Leader, the distance between two Friday prayers should be five and a half kilometers. To solve this issue, it is better if two mosques that are closer than the allowed distance cooperate by holding Friday prayer alternately at each mosque. However, if both places insist on holding their Friday prayers due to their particular circumstances, it is better to also perform the Dhuhr prayer as a precaution.

Thank you for being our guest in this week’s Friday Bulletin.