The meeting was attended by Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei, Dr. Ali-Akbar Salehi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hojjatoleslam Dr. Ali Komsari, Director of the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works; and a number of veteran diplomats and prominent figures.
At the beginning of the meeting, Hojjatoleslam Dr. Ali Komsari paid tribute to the memory of Imam Khomeini, the late Hojjatoleslam Hajj Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini, and the recent martyrs, particularly the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution. He stated that the purpose of the gathering was to draw upon the experience of the country's diplomats to expand Imam Khomeini’s thought beyond Iran’s borders.
Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei: “Establishing a communication network to convey Imam Khomeini’s mysticism and spirituality, free from political noise and controversy, is one of the important strategies for attracting young people.”
Ali Komsari: “Four hundred titles of Imam Khomeini’s books and works about him have been translated into 26 languages.”
Translation of Imam Khomeini’s Works
The head of the Institute presented a report on the Institute’s activities in translating Imam Khomeini’s works. He stated:
“More than 400 titles of Imam Khomeini’s books and works about him have been translated into more than 26 languages, including English, Arabic, French, Urdu, Spanish, German, Russian, Turkish, Italian, Bengali, Filipino, Pashto, Kyrgyz, Swahili, Kurdish, and others. As the distinguished guests are aware, the Institute has published nearly 2,000 book titles to date.
“The 22-volume collection of Sahifeh-ye Imam (the portions intended for foreign audiences) has been translated into English, Arabic, and Urdu. Likewise, selected sections of the ten-volume Encyclopedia of Imam Khomeini, the result of 15 years of continuous scholarly and research work, have been translated into these three languages for foreign audiences.
“Komsari added that Imam Khomeini’s Quranic commentary has been translated into four languages; his testament into 23 languages; and his biography, written by Dr. Hamid Ansari under the title Hadith-e Bidari (The Narrative of Awakening), into 24 languages.
“Kalemat-e Qesar (Brief Sayings) has also been translated into 21 languages, while the book Jihad-e Akbar (The Greater Jihad) has been translated into 13 languages. Importantly, 25 titles of these works have been uploaded and made available on Amazon.”
Dr. Ali-Akbar Salehi’s Remarks
In his remarks, Dr. Ali-Akbar Salehi identified four dimensions of Imam Khomeini’s personality: “jurist, statesman and politician, mystic, and philosopher.” He described Imam Khomeini as the “Muhyiddin of our time,” saying that the Imam was able to make astute political use of the vacuum that had emerged in the world and bring the Revolution to fruition with minimal losses.
The former Foreign Minister criticized the approach to cultural management in previous decades, stating that teaching Islam exclusively through the lens of jurisprudential rituals, while neglecting love, affection, and mysticism, had led the younger generation to distance itself from Islam.
Referring to Quranic verses, the words of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, and an anecdote about Imam Musa al-Sadr’s method of preaching in Lebanese churches and his lecture at the American University of Beirut, which emphasized shared philosophical and intellectual principles, Salehi stressed that “love” is the common bond and language of the present era.
He said that the younger generation should first be introduced to the sweetness of Islam through love, affection, and mystical knowledge.
Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s Remarks
Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei proposed the establishment of a communication network to convey Imam Khomeini’s mysticism and spirituality, free from political noise and controversy, as an important strategy for attracting young people.
She stated that the main motivation behind proposing the meeting was to review and examine ways of introducing the intellectual and mystical dimensions of Imam Khomeini’s personality to international audiences.
The Chairperson of the Iranian Association of Islamic Mysticism added:
“During these trips, whenever Imam Khomeini’s spirituality, morality, and conduct were discussed among various groups, the subject proved extremely fascinating to the audiences, who raised numerous questions.”
She recounted experiences from a visit to a border town in Africa, where people sat for hours on empty wooden fruit crates, eagerly asking detailed questions about Imam Khomeini’s moral character, behavior, and family relationships. They regarded the opportunity to attend these discussions as a blessing for which they were grateful.
She also mentioned encountering a Japanese translation of the book Velayat-e Faqih (Islamic Government) and a Japanese school and academic institution conducting research into the methods of religious seminary education.
She emphasized that the contemporary world is weary of materialism and is searching for spirituality.
Referring to Imam Khomeini’s works, including Sharh-e Hadith-e Junud-e Aql va Jahl (Commentary on the Tradition of the Armies of Reason and Ignorance), Chehel Hadith (Forty Hadiths), and his Divan-e Ash’ar (Collection of Poetry), Dr. Tabatabaei explained Imam Khomeini’s concepts of the “intellectual journey” and the “journey of love.”
She stated:
“From Imam Khomeini’s perspective, after reason triumphs over ignorance and eliminates moral vices, reason itself must also be overcome and sacrificed before love, so that human beings may reach the Supreme Origin and attain divine unity.
“The famous expression ‘nothingness’ in Imam Khomeini’s discourse is also the fruit of this mystical journey and of an existential belief in the statement, ‘The world is the presence of God,’ through which the entire universe is viewed as a banquet and gathering hosted by the Almighty.”
Dr. Tabatabaei expressed hope that ambassadors would document the circumstances of each region and explain why people there welcomed and expressed interest in Imam Khomeini. She suggested that these accounts be compiled into a memoir so that today’s young people could learn about the Imam and the affection people around the world held for him.
She also proposed that diplomats collaborate with the Institute to use the capacities of cyberspace to connect with interested individuals and groups in different countries. Through such a network, she said, the mysticism, spirituality, and religion believed in by Imam Khomeini could be conveyed to others without political controversy.
Remarks by Former Diplomats and Ambassadors
During the remainder of the ceremony, diplomats and former ambassadors shared their observations of Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s visits to various countries and offered suggestions for disseminating Imam Khomeini’s thought.
Mohammadreza Nouri Shahroudi
Hojjatoleslam Mohammadreza Nouri Shahroudi, former Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Oman, referred to Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s activities and publications at the “Ayineh Mehrayin Institute” and her teaching of Islamic mysticism.
He stated that her activities in Sistan and Baluchestan, her visits to Riyadh and Oman, and the deployment of a group of instructors under her supervision had brought about a significant transformation in the religious and moral education of young people.
Shahidi
Shahidi, a veteran diplomat, stated that Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s first foreign trip following the passing of Imam Khomeini, in December 1989 (Azar 1368 in the Iranian calendar), was undertaken as part of the first delegation of the Women’s Association to four African countries: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Niger.
The visit received a widespread welcome.
At a faculty in Sierra Leone and a women’s association in Mali, Dr. Tabatabaei’s book Eghlim-e Khaterat (The Realm of Memories) attracted considerable attention. Shahidi also described the announcement that an audiobook version of The Realm of Memories was being prepared as a highly valuable initiative.
Seyyed Shamseddin Kharaqani
Seyyed Shamseddin Kharaqani, former Iranian ambassador to Germany and the Netherlands, proposed examining issues related to Imam Khomeini’s thoughts and views in different parts of the world.
He stated that achieving meaningful results would require the establishment of two or three thematic or geographical committees to formulate and update principles and subjects in accordance with the evolving circumstances of different countries.
Rasul Eslami
Rasul Eslami, former Iranian ambassador to Thailand, stated that Dr. Tabatabaei’s participation in a women’s conference in Thailand approximately 20 years earlier, and her speech on the status of women from the perspective of Imam Khomeini and Islam, had received a positive response among intellectuals, Iranologists, Islamic scholars, and the Thai press.
Following her two-hour speech at a mosque in southern Thailand, attended by approximately 500 Muslims, the audience insisted that she continue speaking.
Qanehzadeh
Qanehzadeh, former Iranian ambassador to Brazil and South Africa, referred to academic sessions attended by Dr. Gholamhossein Ebrahim Dinani and Dr. Tabatabaei, as well as her speech in Sabzevar and her visit to Brazil.
He proposed establishing a connection between the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works and a US-based researcher and Quranic commentator who has a website and specialized software in this field.
The purpose would be to facilitate the global publication of Imam Khomeini’s speeches, books, and Quranic commentary in English.
Ahmad Dastmalchian
Ahmad Dastmalchian, former Iranian ambassador to Lebanon and Jordan, emphasized the importance of the “soft front” in confronting what he described as an enemy that seeks to surround Iran, suppress its content, and engage in cognitive warfare.
He called for a renewed understanding of Imam Khomeini’s conduct and ideas and for translating his innate, natural mode of expression into contemporary language and educational materials for the younger generation.
Reza Sokhaei
Reza Sokhaei, former Iranian ambassador to Tunisia and Qatar, described the atmosphere of repression and the prohibition of the hijab in Tunisia during the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
He characterized Dr. Tabatabaei’s visit to Tunisia, at the invitation of Beit al-Hikma (House of Wisdom), as fruitful and influential.
He emphasized the need to introduce Imam Khomeini’s mystical thought, alongside his political dimensions, to people around the world who are interested in the Islamic Revolution.
Gholamreza Ansari
Gholamreza Ansari, former Iranian ambassador to India and Russia, referred to Dr. Tabatabaei’s week-long visit to Delhi and Bangalore in February 2016 (Bahman 1394), accompanied by an academic delegation.
He considered the detailed documentation of the memories and firsthand observations of those close to Imam Khomeini, as well as focusing on the role of Shiites in different countries, essential to preventing distortions in the history of the Islamic Revolution.
Mahmoud Sadri
Mahmoud Sadri, former Iranian ambassador to Bosnia, referred to the Iranian Embassy’s cooperation with the Ibn Sina Institute in Bosnia on cultural activities concerning philosophical and mystical issues, through invitations extended to scholars such as Dr. Dinani and Dr. Tabatabaei.
He stated:
“After one to two years of intellectual activities, the views of officials from the country’s leftist and Marxist private media outlets and television stations regarding Iranian thought and intellectual traditions changed.”
Dr. Tabatabaei’s sessions on mysticism were held at universities, Islamic centers, and with women’s groups.
Sadri added that he had heard requests had been made for her to travel to the country for one or two months to teach.
Mohammad Khazaei
Mohammad Khazaei, former Iranian representative to the United Nations, paid tribute to the late Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini.
He stated that the expressions Imam Khomeini used in his correspondence about his daughter-in-law, Dr. Tabatabaei, conveyed the delicate mystical fragrance of a globally recognized personality and presented another dimension of the Revolution.
He explained that in various cities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, some students and foreign individuals would ask:
“Who is this Fatih Khanom whom the Imam speaks of so tenderly when referring to his daughter-in-law?”
Khazaei suggested that, in addition to publishing Imam Khomeini’s written and oral works, the Institute should become a center for disseminating the character, conduct, and thought of those who were trained by him.
He also proposed conducting comparative and analytical studies on the effects of Imam Khomeini’s Revolution on developments in the contemporary world.
Mohammadreza Bagheri
Mohammadreza Bagheri, former Iranian ambassador to Turkey, Kuwait, and Syria, recounted memories of the devotion shown to Imam Khomeini by people in Kuwait and Mauritania.
He criticized the lack of sufficient content about Imam Khomeini in the university textbook titled The Islamic Revolution.
He called for a meeting between the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, the representative of the Supreme Leader at universities, and university religious studies departments to revise the textbook.
Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Taher Rabbani
Mohammad Taher Rabbani, former Iranian ambassador to the Vatican, Qatar, and Guinea, referred to Dr. Tabatabaei’s books, including Eghlim-e Khaterat (The Realm of Memories), Sokhan-e Eshq (The Word of Love), Yek Saghar az Hezar (One Cup from a Thousand), and Avaye Maktub (The Written Voice).
He recounted an experience from her visit to Italy at the head of a delegation from Germany. Rather than meeting officials and cardinals, Dr. Tabatabaei had requested to visit educational schools run by nuns and become familiar with their study and educational systems.
Sabah Zanganeh
Sabah Zanganeh, former Iranian ambassador to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, recounted an anecdote about the independent and self-sufficient character of the late Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini, including his refusal to accept official protocol during a visit to Jeddah.
He also discussed Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini’s pivotal role as a link between Parliament, the Supreme Defense Council, and Imam Khomeini during the war.
Zanganeh further referred to:
- The enthusiasm of university professors in Nigeria for Imam Khomeini’s works.
- Similarities between the jurisprudential and political foundations of the works of Usman dan Fodio in northern Nigeria and Imam Khomeini’s views.
- The restoration of Imam Khomeini’s residence in Najaf.
- Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s role in extracting and compiling material from Imam Khomeini.
Remarks by Women Participants
Several women participants subsequently shared their memories and proposed strategies for examining ways to introduce the intellectual and mystical dimensions of Imam Khomeini to international audiences.
During this section, the wife of the late Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Minhaj, former Iranian ambassador to Australia, Nigeria, and Libya, spoke about accompanying Dr. Tabatabaei on trips to Brazil, India, and Oman.
She also recounted her husband’s experience of displaying evidence of SAVAK torture at a press conference in Australia during the early years following the victory of the Revolution.
Unveiling of the “Dalil” Fact-Checking and Verification System
At the conclusion of the three-hour meeting, a preliminary unveiling of the “Dalil” verification and validation system, designed to combat distortions, took place.
Dr. Amir Mohammad Adelani, Head of the Monitoring Center of the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, introduced the pilot version of the “Dalil” fact-checking and verification system, which is scheduled to be officially unveiled within the next two months.
He stated:
“The system has been designed to safeguard Imam Khomeini’s intellectual legacy and counter the fabrication of narratives, false information, and the selective truncation of his statements in the media.
“Within the ‘Dalil’ system, frequently repeated statements attributed to Imam Khomeini are verified through media monitoring, research studies, and questions from audiences. This verification is based on a careful examination of the 22-volume collection of Sahifeh-ye Imam and reliable documentary sources.”