"Allah will raise in rank those of you who have faith and those who have been given knowledge, and Allah is well aware of what you do" (Holy Quran, 58:11)

The beginning of the new academic year is a valuable opportunity to renew our commitment to the great mission of education and training—and another step toward deepening knowledge, self-refinement, and preparing to play a role in the intellectual, cultural, and social spheres on the path to realizing the new Islamic civilization. A civilization which is established on good faith, rationality, justice, spirituality, and progress, and its horizons encompass the entire world.

Academic institutions [that are entrusted] with a [sacred] mission, such as al-Mustafa International University, must follow the path of the Holy Prophets—the great teachers of humanity—that is they must impart knowledge that elevates to learners and seekers.

Dear students from various countries!

You are ambassadors of this civilizational thought and bearers of the message of light and wisdom for the people of your homelands. Your presence at al-Mustafa International University symbolizes the unity of the Islamic Ummah in the path of scientific, ethical, and civilizational growth. Education at al-Mustafa is not merely the acquisition of sciences but also preparation for playing a role in building the all-encompassing Islamic civilization—a civilization that requires faithful, insightful, committed individuals who are aware of the issues and needs of contemporary humanity.

Now, as we stand in the second phase of the Islamic Revolution, we need an educational transformation more than ever before—a transformation that goes beyond the level of content and teaching methods and reaches the depth of nurturing individuals aligned with the civilizational discourse of Islam; individuals with independent identity, self-confidence, analytical power, and readiness to play roles on national and global stages.

Hence, al-Mustafa University must, with a renewed perspective, educate a generation that can pave the way for addressing the cultural and social challenges of the world and offer civilization-building solutions by drawing upon the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).

You dear students, through scholarly effort, self-discipline, and active engagement with your own communities, can serve as a link between Hawza Ilmyyah and the Islamic Ummah and the world.

At a time when the world has witnessed nearly two years of brutality, genocide, and crimes by the Zionist occupation regime—with the support of its colonial backers—in Gaza, we pray that the upcoming academic year be filled with blessings, knowledge, and effective steps toward realizing the lofty ideals of pure Muhammadan Islam (SAWW) and the liberation of the oppressed from the clutches of tyrants. May you, dear ones, relying on Almighty Allah, play an effective role in raising awareness in human society, combating oppression, and promoting justice.

                         Dr. Ali Abbasi