The event took place on the evening of Saturday, August 25, at the Seminary Management Office’s meeting hall. Hojjat al-Islam Reza Eskandari, Secretary of the Congress, outlined the vision, goals, and programs of the initiative.
A Role Model for the Muslim World
Eskandari emphasized that the purpose of the congress is to present influential Islamic figures as role models for contemporary society. “These individuals possessed exceptional qualities from which our societies can benefit today,” he said, calling for their values to be integrated across social levels to guide the Islamic world toward progress and unity.
Honoring Historical Figures of Resistance
Alongside Martyr Nasrallah, the congress will spotlight other key figures, such as the late Ayatollah Shahrestani (RA), described by Eskandari as a pioneering scholar and revolutionary. Over a century ago, Ayatollah Shahrestani stood against British colonialism in Iraq, collaborating with Sunni leaders and the Ottoman Empire. Despite being sentenced to death, his sentence was never carried out.
Following his release, Shahrestani was appointed Iraq’s Minister of Education, where he purged British influence and established an Islamic curriculum. He later traveled to Bahrain, India, Yemen, and beyond, founding scientific and cultural institutions that laid the groundwork for modern resistance movements.
“He was a visionary,” Eskandari noted, “blind for thirty years but still writing. So far, 390 of his works have been identified, with 30 volumes set for publication—all archived in Kadhimiya .”
Martyr Nasrallah’s Multifaceted Legacy
Regarding Martyr Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, Eskandari said that while his jihadi role is well-known, the congress aims to shed light on his lesser-known contributions in political, social, and cultural fields. “He played a transformative role in Lebanon and the wider Islamic world, especially through elite-level engagement and media strategy.”
Eskandari described Nasrallah as a master communicator with deep insight into modern media, capable of shaping a powerful Islamic media culture.
Seven key aspects of his personality have been identified for scholarly analysis—ranging from family life and spirituality to moral character, political strategy, and cultural engagement.
Congress Schedule and Submissions
Three major congresses are planned for the coming years, focusing on a select group of seven influential figures from a pool of 100. For the Martyr Nasrallah Congress, abstracts must be submitted by October 2025, with final papers due by December. Submissions will be accepted through the ETA platform and messaging services.
The congress is expected to be held in the spring of 1405 (March–June 2026). In total, approximately 300 works related to the honored figures will be published in Persian, Arabic, and other languages.
Supporting Research and Cultural Revival
Eskandari also announced extensive initiatives to revive classical Islamic scholarship. These include publishing historical texts in digital formats for wider accessibility, organizing scientific meetings in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and elsewhere, and producing documentaries in collaboration with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
During the Ayatollah Khersan Congress, for example, over 60 academic sessions were held across Iran and Iraq—a model the organizers plan to expand.
The congress’s activities are being coordinated through the Qom Seminary under the leadership of Ayatollah Arafi, in partnership with 25 major institutions from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and other countries. Each institution is responsible for specific areas of research, publication, or media production.
“We are building an enduring scholarly and cultural legacy,” Eskandari concluded, “one that will amplify the voices of resistance and revive the intellectual treasures of the Islamic world.”
