International

islamic-banking

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the initiative forms part of the Bank’s broader efforts to promote Islamic social finance development across its member states. The program was conducted with participation from representatives across various regions of Uganda.The event aimed to support the development of the “Bayt al-Zakat and Waqf” foundation for the effective administration of zakat in service of Uganda’s Muslim community, while also contributing to human capital development in Islamic social finance.Key themes addressed during the program included the fiqh of zakat, governance and management of zakat institutions, the role of zakat in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the application of financial technology (fintech) in zakat administration, and successful zakat management experiences from IsDB member countries. &nbsp;source: https://www.spa.gov.sa/fa/17b9c3c9e3t

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), a member of the IsDB Group, has organized a specialized program on zakat management in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

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IsDB Organizes Zakat Management Program in Uganda

Iran

supreme-leader

martyred-supreme-leader

intellectual-development

An official biography published by KHAMENEI.IR traces the life of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei from his childhood in the holy city of Mashhad to his role as Leader of the Islamic Revolution, placing particular emphasis on his lifelong commitment to Islamic scholarship, education, literature, and intellectual development.&nbsp;Born on April 19, 1939, in Mashhad, Khamenei was the second son of Sayyid Javad Khamenei, a respected but modest religious scholar who instilled in his family the values of simplicity, piety, and learning. His early education began at the age of four, when he and his elder brother attended a traditional maktab to study the Arabic alphabet and memorize the Holy Quran before continuing at an Islamic primary school.&nbsp;He later entered the theological seminary in Mashhad, where, under the guidance of his father and several prominent scholars, he completed the intermediate curriculum in Islamic jurisprudence, philosophy, and logic in just five years. Reflecting on this period, Ayatollah Khamenei later remarked that his parents—particularly his father—had been the greatest influence on his decision to pursue religious studies.&nbsp;Seeking advanced theological education, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei continued his studies in the holy city of Qom, where he attended the lectures of some of the leading Shiite scholars of the twentieth century, including Grand Ayatollah Hossein Borujerdi, Imam Ruhollah Khomeini, Sheikh Morteza Haeri Yazdi, Sayyid Mohammad Muhaqiq Damad, and Allamah Mohammad Hossein Tabatabai. During these years, he devoted himself to research, teaching, and scholarly inquiry.&nbsp;In 1957, while still a young seminarian, Ayatollah Khamenei travelled to Najaf, Iraq, to visit the Shiite holy shrines and attend the lessons of renowned scholars such as Grand Ayatollah Mohsen al-Hakim and Ayatollah Mahmoud Shahrudi. Although he hoped to remain in Najaf, he returned to Iran the following year at his father's request and resumed his advanced studies in Qom until 1964.&nbsp;His academic path changed once more when deteriorating health forced his father to return to Mashhad. Ayatollah Khamenei also returned home, caring for his father while continuing his own studies under Grand Ayatollah Milani and other scholars. Having attained the rank of mujtahid, he began teaching advanced Islamic sciences to seminary and university students. Looking back on this period, he later said, “If there have been any successes in my life, they all go back to God's blessings favored upon me because of my dutiful caring for my parents.”&nbsp;Alongside his teaching, Ayatollah Khamenei developed an extensive body of scholarly work. His published writings include ( https://en.khamenei.ir/news/131432 6/31 1.)Works Authored&nbsp;<ul><li>On the Four Principal Books of “Ilm ul-Rijal”&nbsp;</li><li>Islamic Thought in the Quran&nbsp;</li><li>Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s.)&nbsp;</li><li>The Profundity of Prayer&nbsp;</li><li>A Discourse on Patience&nbsp;</li><li>The Spirit of Tawhid and the Denial of Worshipping Other than God&nbsp;</li><li>A Report on the History and Current State of Qom Islamic Seminary&nbsp;</li></ul>Translations (from Arabic into Farsi)&nbsp;<ul><li>“The Future in Islamic Lands” by Sayyed Qutb&nbsp;</li><li>“Peace Treaty of Imam Hassan (a.s.), the Most Glorious Heroic Flexibility in History” by Raaz i Aal-Yasseen</li><li>Tafsir “In the Shade of the Quran” by Sayyed Qutb&nbsp;</li><li>“Muslims in the Liberation Movement of India” by Abdulmunaim Nassri&nbsp;</li><li>“An Indictment Against the Western Civilization” by Sayyed Qutb</li></ul>Many of his speeches, lectures, and interviews have also been compiled into books, most notably the multi-volume collection Hadith of Wilayat, while numerous academic studies have examined his philosophical and political thought.&nbsp;<h3>A lifelong passion for books</h3>The Martyred Supreme Leader, was deeply engaged with Persian poetry, world literature, novels, and short stories, and maintained close relationships with writers, poets, and intellectuals throughout his life.&nbsp;His speeches frequently emphasized the importance of reading in both personal and national development.&nbsp; Through this perspective, the value and underlying significance of a historical event can be understood that the first address of the Almighty God to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was to “read!" And in the first verse revealed to God's honorable messenger, the word 'pen' is mentioned with admiration and praise. "Read! Your Lord is the Most Generous, who was taught by the pen.” [Quran 96: 3-4]<blockquote>"It is a great loss for a nation to be unfamiliar with books," he said in 1993. "On the other hand, it is a splendid achievement for a person to be fond of books and always benefit from them by learning new things."</blockquote>On another occasion, he described books as "the essence of civilizations," while urging families to make books a household necessity, saying, "We should add books to the family basket, just like bread and food."&nbsp;Throughout his annual visits to the Tehran International Book Fair, the late Supreme Leader repeatedly stressed that reading was indispensable to cultural progress.<blockquote>"One should pay attention to books," he said. "One of the worst forms of indolence is laziness in reading books. The country's cultural development always needs books. A book is the most enduring work of art."</blockquote><h3>Scholars reflect on his intellectual legacy</h3>Following his death, scholars have continued to examine Grand Ayatollah Khamenei's intellectual contributions. Last month, a forum titled "The Martyred Leader and Books: The Path Already Taken, the Path Ahead" was held by Behnashr Publishing under the auspices of the Scientific and Cultural Organization of Astan Quds Razavi.Speaking at the event, Behnashr CEO Masoud Farzaneh said: “Revisiting the martyred Leader’s cultural conduct can guide society in turbulent times”.&nbsp;He asserted: “Nothing can replace books in our lives, and the martyred Leader was one of the most influential figures in strengthening Iran’s bond with reading.” &nbsp;&nbsp;Author and researcher Mohsen Momeni Sharif explained that books were not merely tools of study for the martyred Leader; rather, they were gateways to understanding history, society, and global transformations.&nbsp;He noted: “The martyred Leader’s engagement with historical novels allowed him to gain novel perspectives on social dynamics. His reading shaped a strategic and civilizational outlook that defined his intellectual identity.” He further highlighted the breadth and discipline of the martyred Leader’s personal library, calling it one of the country’s richest collections of humanities sources.&nbsp; <a href="https://news.razavi.ir/en/news/323/books-culture-shape-martyred-leader%E2%80%99s-intellectual-legacy">https://news.razavi.ir/en/news/323/books-culture-shape-martyred-leader%E2%80%99s-intellectual-legacy</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://media.mehrnews.com/d/2026/03/09/4/5937374.jpg?ts=1773062554282"> On February 28, a tragic and shocking event unfolded as Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was martyred in a coordinated attack by Israel and the United States. The strike targeted his office in central Tehran. His martyrdom has not only sent shockwaves throughout Iran but has resonated deeply across the broader Muslim world, igniting waves of grief and outrage.&nbsp;Ayatollah Khamenei was not just a political leader known for his influence on regional and global affairs; he was also a figure of cultural significance. For many Iranians, his contributions extended far beyond the realm of politics. He possessed a remarkable affinity for culture, literature, and intellectual discourse, which he championed throughout his life. His speeches often reflected his passion for books and poetry, emphasizing the importance of the life of the mind in shaping society and nurturing the spirit.&nbsp;In his public addresses, Ayatollah Khamenei frequently invoked the works of great poets and thinkers, illustrating how literature could serve as a powerful tool for resistance and reflection. His love for Persian poetry resonated with many, fostering a sense of national pride and cultural identity. As a scholar and thinker, he believed that engaging with ideas and art was crucial for the moral and intellectual development of the nation. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

A short review of the Martyred Supreme Leader's lifelong commitment to Islamic scholarship, education, literature, and intellectual development.

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Highlights of Martyred Ayatollah Khamenei's scholarly and intellectual legacy

funeral-procession

jamkaran-mosque

Enormous crowds of mourners gathered early dawn at Jamkaran Mosque to offer funeral prayers for the martyred leader and members of his family on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;The funeral prayer was led by Grand Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli on Tuesday morning, drawing the general public as well as religious scholars, government officials, military commanders, and other dignitaries.&nbsp;Following the prayer, a funeral procession was scheduled to move from the Jamkaran Mosque to the Shrine of Hazrat Fatima Masoumeh (SA).&nbsp;

Funeral procession for martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in Qom began with funeral prayers offered at the Jamkaran Mosque.

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Funeral Pray led by Grand Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli

Islamic Seminary

QOM, Iran — The director of Iran's Islamic seminaries, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, has issued a landmark message addressed to the free people and awakened nations of the world on the occasion of the funeral of the martyred Imam, calling for the historic farewell to be recorded as an unparalleled event transcending time and space.&nbsp;In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful&nbsp;"Never think of those martyred in the cause of Allah as dead. In fact, they are alive with their Lord, well provided for—" (Aal-e-Imran, 169)&nbsp;“Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah.Some of them have fulfilled their pledge with their lives, others are waiting their turn. They have never changed their commitment in the least.” (Al-Ahzab, 23)&nbsp;To the great Islamic Ummah, the free and the oppressed of the world, the awakened nations, and conscious consciences across the globe:&nbsp;Today, the Muslim world—and indeed all of humanity thirsting for justice—mourns a towering figure who belonged not to a single border or nation, but stood as the shared treasure of the Ummah and the inheritor of the path of the prophets and saints.&nbsp;The martyrdom of the wise Leader, the exalted Marja, and the helmsman of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei, is not an event to be comprehended within a limited geography. This tragedy must be read on the scale of the Islamic world's equations and on the horizon of great human transformations. That great soul was a constellation of countless virtues and a galaxy of distinguished qualities, whose manifestations illuminated Iran and the world, altered global equations, and became the source of manifold advancements and the glory of Iran and the Islamic Ummah.&nbsp;The martyred Imam was a model of global thought. His vision transcended ethnic and national boundaries, founding a universal discourse in which shared human values, human dignity, justice, and steadfastness against arrogance found a comprehensive language. He understood global challenges and threats deeply and spoke in a language befitting the age of civilizations. The theology he presented was a liberating global theology—a word that brought God into the heart of the lives of the dispossessed and transformed faith into the force of national liberation. His lofty station as a Marja also lay along this same continuum: a Marjaiyyah that bound jurisprudence to historical responsibility and the concerns of the Ummah. He was the father of the nation, the soul of the legend of resistance, the leader of the Ummah, and the spirit of the people.&nbsp;The horrendous crime of the black-hearted forces of America and Israel, which culminated in this martyrdom, was intended—in the dark delusion of its architects—to strike a fatal blow against the body of this movement, nation, and state, and bring about their sudden collapse. It is here that one dimension of the greatness of his leadership is laid bare. For years, he had engaged in Ummah-building and state-building; he had bound the people not to his own person, but to God, to the foundations, and to the lofty, invigorating, and life-giving ideals. Leaders who invest in personal charisma see their nations and systems collapse when that charisma fades. But the leadership model of the martyred Imam was such that, despite all the enemy's strategic predictions of chaos and disintegration, everything miraculously proceeded on a path of stability and cohesion. This is yet another testimony to the truthfulness and depth of this school, which has linked the people to God, not to individuals.&nbsp;O noble Ummah! The passion for avenging this pure blood must remain alive and enduring in the hearts—not as a fleeting flame, but as a lasting resolve to walk the very path he watered with his blood. The blood of martyrs illuminates the way, and loyalty to their ideals is the true essence of blood vengeance. The vengeance and retribution for the martyred Imam is not an emotional or impulsive confrontation; it is the continuation of the struggle against oppression and arrogance in a new form, and one of the central and fundamental missions of the Resistance Front.&nbsp;His martyrdom carries clear missions and messages for the various strata of the Islamic world and Iran:The First Message: Martyrdom is the capital of the Ummah, not its loss; it is the cause of the enemy's humiliation and destruction, not his achievement. The enemies imagined that by assassinating the wise and learned Leader of Islamic Iran, they would shatter the will of the nation. Yet the divine tradition is that the pure blood of martyrs deepens the roots of faith, fortifies the will of nations, and illuminates the path of truth. The loftier the martyrdom, the greater its decisive blessings for the Islamic Ummah, and the more fiercely it ignites.&nbsp;The Second Message: The failure of the calculations of the hegemonic system. In this third imposed war, the treacherous and criminal enemy fixed its gaze on objectives that, like a fevered dream, went unfulfilled. Once again, its head struck a stone. The plot to partition Iran, to topple the system, to subjugate the Iranian nation, to seize the national wealth, to secure the Zionist regime, and to annihilate the Axis of Resistance—all were dashed by the blessing of the blood of the Imam, the commanders, the martyrs of Minab, and thousands of the crimson-clad faithful of the Imam Hossein nation of Iran.&nbsp;Not only did the enemy fail to achieve any of these objectives, it suffered colossal defeats. The shattering of the prestige of the world's greatest superpower requires years of deep analytical study to fully expound. The destruction of American military bases in the region, the annihilation of Israeli strategic targets, the empowerment of the Resistance Front, the command over the Strait of Hormuz, the renaissance and cohesion of the Iranian nation, the refutation of the Iranophobia project, the increase in global support for Iran, the exposure of the hideous face of America and the child-killing Zionist entity, and the emergence of Iran as a superpower—all stand among the pivotal axes of our great victories in this war.&nbsp;"O believers! If you stand up for Allah, He will help you and make your steps firm. (Muhammad, 7)&nbsp;The Third Message: The display of Ummah unity. Today, a united front composed of Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Ansarullah, Iraq's Hashd al-Shabi, and the Palestinian Resistance has taken shape—a front that must grow more unified and cohesive by the day. In an era of complex seditions, no asset is more precious for the Islamic Ummah than solidarity, insight, and a sense of responsibility.&nbsp;It must be understood that this juncture is a decisive, fate-determining moment. A new era of the might of Iran, Islam, and the Axis of Resistance has dawned. These great transformations are the fruit of centuries of endeavor and struggle by godly scholars and awakened nations—a legacy that began with the Great Imam and endured with the martyred Imam, and has borne fruit for the liberation of the Ummah and the oppressed from centuries of suffering, for the formation of new poles of power and a new Islamic civilization, and for paving the ground for the emergence of the great sun of Wilayah. The correct understanding of the equations and transformations of this moment is an obligation upon the shoulders of all the concerned and the thinkers of the Ummah.&nbsp;The funeral of this sacred body must be registered as an unparalleled and transtemporal event. The gathering of first-rank figures of the Islamic world, global symbols, the powerful media outlets of the Ummah, scholars, intellectuals, strugglers, and the free people of the world will help this epic radiate on a global scale, delivering the great messages of the martyred Imam to the hearts of human beings across all continents, especially in the Islamic world. This massive presence will itself be a resounding cry for the righteousness of this path and a renewal of the covenant with a constellation of faith, justice, independence, dignity, resistance, and hope for the future. This funeral will create a golden page in the history of this land and the Islamic world.&nbsp;I invite all segments of the people, the devotees of the school of Khomeini and Khamenei, and all those grieving this immense tragedy to demonstrate, through their massive presence at this historic event, the place of that beloved figure in the hearts of the noble people, and to convey the message that the path of the Revolution and of that Ramadan martyr shall continue, and that vengeance for the blood of the noble people and the precious martyrs shall be exacted.&nbsp;At this moment, how can one fail to remember the architect of this magnificent movement, Imam Khomeini (RA)—that reviver who, with his lofty thought, laid the foundations of the Axis of Resistance and set the caravan of martyrs in motion. The martyred Imam was the true continuator of that very line and that very school, standing firm in the path of the ideals of the Islamic Revolution until his last breath, and offering himself in sacrifice for the people and for Islamic Iran.&nbsp;Today, a redoubled responsibility rests on the shoulders of the Islamic seminaries, universities, the elite, thinkers, and media figures. This presence must be transformed into a lasting cultural, academic, and civilizational movement. Our duty is to elucidate the truth, preserve the intellectual heritage, chart the horizon of the future, and continue the path. The great figures of Islamic history become enduring schools from which successive generations draw inspiration.&nbsp;The continuation of the path of the martyred Imam lies in sincere, conscious, and faithful adherence to the Wilayah al-Faqih of the time. His Eminence the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, is the luminous and clear path of continuity—the continuation of the existence, thought, and blessed leadership model of that martyred Imam.&nbsp;We beseech God Almighty for the elevation of the station of this beloved martyr and his reunion with the divine saints, for patience and insight for the Ummah, for the unity of the Islamic Ummah, for the strengthening of the Resistance Front, for the awakening of nations, and for the groundwork to be laid for the fulfillment of the divine promises.&nbsp;The path is clear&nbsp;&nbsp;"Allah’s Will always prevails, but most people do not know." (Yusuf, 21)&nbsp;And peace be upon the righteous servants of God.&nbsp;

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi addresses "the free people and awakened nations of the world" to take part in the historic funeral of the martyred Imam

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Awakened Nations Called to Join Historic Farewell for Iran's Martyred Leader

The Headquarters for the Commemoration of the "Martyrdom and Ascension of Grand Ayatollah Khamenei" has issued a statement announcing the schedule for the farewell, funeral, and burial ceremonies for the late leader of the Islamic Revolution.&nbsp;The statement reads as follows:&nbsp;In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful<blockquote>Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah.Some of them have fulfilled their pledge with their lives, others are waiting their turn. They have never changed their commitment˺in the least. (Qur'an 33:23)</blockquote>Following the bloody ascension of the supreme authority of the Shi'a world, the wise leader of the Islamic Revolution and the standard-bearer of the Truth and Resistance Front, the martyred Imam, the Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei (may God be pleased with him), the Islamic world is mourning the loss of a great man who spent his entire blessed life in the cause of upholding the word of truth, defending Islam, serving the people and guiding the Islamic nation. That martyred leader, with firm faith, sincere struggle, steadfast patience and divine insight, always kept the banner of the independence of dear Iran and the guidance and dignity of the Islamic nation high; the name and memory of that unique era in the history of dear Iran, the Islamic world and in the hearts of the free people of the world will remain.&nbsp;The Headquarters for Commemorating the Bloody Ascension of the Martyr Imam, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may Allah have mercy on him), while offering condolences to the blessed presence of the Supreme Leader of the Age (may Allah have mercy on him), the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may Allah have mercy on him), and all free nations devoted to the path of truth, expresses its deep gratitude and appreciation for the passionate and loyal presence of the envoys of the people of Islamic Iran and all lovers of Islam and the revolution.&nbsp;Following the previous announcements of this headquarters and taking into account the plans made, the honorable and mourning public arer informed that the farewell, funeral and burial ceremonies of the holy body of the martyred Imam Mujahid and his family members, the great martyrs Dr. Misbah-ul-Huda Bagherikani, Seyyedah Bashari Hosseini Khamenei, Zahra Haddad Adel and Zahra Mohammadi Golpaygani (may Allah be pleased with them all) will be held as follows:&nbsp;Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5, 2026 (19–20 Muharram 1448 AH): Public farewell ceremony in Tehran.Monday, July 6, 2026 (21 Muharram): Funeral procession in Tehran.Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (22 Muharram): Funeral procession in the holy city of Qom.Thursday, July 9, 2026 (24 Muharram), on the eve of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Sajjad: Funeral procession in Mashhad, followed by burial at the Imam Reza Shrine.&nbsp;The free people of the world, lovers of the Islamic school, and those interested in Iran are invited to attend this magnificent ceremony and bid farewell to the martyred leader. Finally, while thanking the responsible agencies and popular groups for the extensive preparations and planning for holding this event, it is emphasized that the main role in holding this ceremony will be played by the honorable people who are always on the scene as the main owners of mourning, and a magnificent and unique manifestation of a popular event will take place, God willing. &nbsp;Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of the Martyred Leader of the Islamic RevolutionJune 13, 2026&nbsp;&nbsp;

Details Announced for Funeral and Burial Ceremonies of the "Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution" in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad

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Millions are to attend the Funeral the Martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution

According to the IRIB News Agency, the International Media Activists’ Meeting was held on Tuesday, 7th July, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Islamic Revolution Art Center.&nbsp;The meeting was attended by a group of media activists from various countries, along with the government spokesperson. They discussed and exchanged views on a range of media, political, and legal topics.The topics discussed included:<ul><li>The global coverage of the funeral of the martyred leader.</li><li>A review of the Ramadan War and Iran’s global image.</li><li>The impact of the funeral of the martyred leader on Iran’s current position.</li><li>Martyr Ayatollah Khamenei and Palestine.</li><li>Martyr Ayatollah Khamenei and the Persian language.</li><li>Martyr Ayatollah Khamenei and opposition to the United States and Israel.</li><li>Martyr Ayatollah Khamenei, the Father of the Resistance.</li></ul>According to the report, participants examined the various dimensions of these topics from media and analytical perspectives and discussed how they have been portrayed in public opinion and international media. &nbsp;

Media activists from different countries discussed global reflection of a funeral ceremony and several related media and legal issues 