A gathering of former ambassadors of the Islamic Republic of Iran to various countries was held at the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works. The event was attended by Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei, Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hojjat al-Islam Dr. Ali Komsari, head 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, Hojjat al-Islam Dr. Ali Komsari commemorated the memory of Imam Khomeini, the late Hojjat al-Islam Haj 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 in expanding Imam Khomeini’s thought beyond Iran’s borders.
The head of the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works presented a report on the Institute’s activities in translating Imam Khomeini’s works. He added that more than 400 titles of books by Imam Khomeini 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. He noted that the Institute has published nearly 2,000 book titles to date.
He further explained that the 22-volume collection of Sahifeh-ye Imam (the portions intended for international audiences) has been translated into English, Arabic, and Urdu. Similarly, selected material from the ten-volume Encyclopedia of Imam Khomeini, the result of fifteen years of continuous scholarly and research work, has been translated into these three languages for international readers.
Komsari stated 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 and titled Hadith-e Bidari (“The Narrative of Awakening”), into 24 languages. Short Sayings has been translated into 21 languages, and Jihad-e Akbar (“The Greater Jihad”) into 13 languages. He also noted that 25 titles from these works have been uploaded to and made available on Amazon.
Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi’s Remarks
In his speech, Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi described Imam Khomeini’s characteristics in four dimensions: “jurist, statesman and politician, mystic, and philosopher.” He called him “the Muhyiddin of our age,” saying that Imam Khomeini was able to make intelligent political use of the vacuum that had emerged in the world and bring the Revolution to fruition with the minimum possible losses.
Criticizing the approach to cultural management in previous decades, the former foreign minister stated that teaching Islam exclusively through the lens of jurisprudential rituals, while neglecting the dimensions of love, affection, and mysticism, had led to the younger generation becoming distanced from it.
Drawing on 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 speech at the American University of Beirut, which focused on shared philosophical and intellectual principles, he emphasized that “love” is the language and connecting point of the present age. He said that the younger generation should first be introduced to the sweet essence of Islam through love, affection, and mystical teachings.
Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s Remarks
Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei proposed the creation of a communications network to convey Imam Khomeini’s mysticism and spirituality, away from political commotion, as an important means of attracting young people. She said the principal motivation behind proposing the meeting was to review and examine methods for presenting Imam Khomeini’s intellectual and mystical dimensions to global audiences.
The head of the Iranian Association for the Academic Study of Islamic Mysticism added that during these trips, whenever Imam Khomeini’s spirituality, ethics, and conduct were discussed among different groups, the subject proved highly appealing to audiences, who raised numerous questions.
Recounting her experiences in a border city in Africa, she described people who sat for hours on empty wooden fruit crates, eagerly asking about the details of Imam Khomeini’s ethics, behavior, and family relationships. They regarded her presence among them as a blessing for which they should be grateful. She also referred to seeing a Japanese translation of the book Velayat-e Faqih (“Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist”) and to a school and academic institution in Japan conducting research on the methods of seminary education. She noted that the world today 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 Hadith of the Armies of Reason and Ignorance”), Forty Hadith, and his Divan of Poetry, Dr. Tabatabaei explained the concepts of the “intellectual journey” and the “journey of love” in Imam Khomeini’s thought.
She said that, from Imam Khomeini’s perspective, after reason triumphs over ignorance and eliminates moral vices, reason itself must be overcome and sacrificed before love in order for human beings to reach the Supreme Origin and attain divine unity. The famous expression “nothingness” in Imam Khomeini’s discourse, she explained, is also the fruit of this mystical spiritual path 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.
She expressed hope that ambassadors would record, in a book of travel memoirs, the circumstances of each region and the reasons for people’s welcome and affection toward Imam Khomeini. This would enable today’s young people, by browsing through the book, to become acquainted with Imam Khomeini and the affection people around the world hold for him.
She also proposed that, in cooperation with diplomats and the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, the potential of cyberspace be used to establish connections with interested groups and individuals in various countries. In this way, she said, Imam Khomeini’s mysticism, spirituality, and religious beliefs could be conveyed to others through a network, outside the sphere of political agitation.
Remarks by Former Diplomats and Ambassadors
The meeting continued with diplomats and ambassadors from various periods sharing their observations of Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s visits to different countries and offering proposals for disseminating Imam Khomeini’s thought.
Mohammadreza Nouri Shahroudi
Hojjat al-Islam Mohammadreza Nouri Shahroudi, former Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Oman, referred to Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s activities and writings at the “Ayineh Mehrayin Institute” and her teaching of Islamic mysticism. He stated that her initiatives 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 ethical education of young people.
Shahidi
Shahidi, a veteran diplomat, stated that Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s first foreign trip after the passing of Imam Khomeini, in Azar 1368 (December 1989), was undertaken as part of the first delegation sent by the Women’s Society to four African countries—Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Niger—and received a broad welcome.
At a faculty in Sierra Leone and at the Women’s Association in Mali, Dr. Tabatabaei’s book Eghlim-e Khaterat (“The Climate of Memories”) attracted considerable interest. He added that the announcement that an audio version of the book was being prepared was 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 said that achieving meaningful results would require the establishment of two or three thematic or geographical committees to formulate and update principles and topics in light of ongoing changes in countries.
Rasoul Eslami
Rasoul Eslami, former Iranian ambassador to Thailand, said that Dr. Tabatabaei’s participation in a women’s conference in Thailand approximately twenty years earlier, and her speech on the position of women from the perspective of Imam Khomeini and Islam, had received a positive response among intellectuals, Iranologists, Islamic studies scholars, and the Thai press.
He added that 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 Ebrahimi Dinani and Dr. Tabatabaei, as well as her speech in the city of 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 Quranic researcher and commentator who has a website and specialized software in the field. The aim would be to disseminate Imam Khomeini’s speeches, books, and Quranic commentary globally 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 surrounds the country, suppresses content, and engages in cognitive warfare.
He called for renewed recognition of Imam Khomeini’s conduct and thought, 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 hijab in Tunisia during the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. He characterized Dr. Tabatabaei’s visit at the invitation of Tunisia’s “Beit al-Hikma” (House of Wisdom) as productive 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 trip in Bahman 1394 (February 2016), accompanied by an academic delegation to Delhi and Bangalore.
He considered the precise and detailed recording of the memories and observations of those close to Imam Khomeini, as well as a focus on the role of Shiites in different countries, essential for preventing distortions in the history of the Islamic Revolution.
Mahmoud Sadri
Mahmoud Sadri, former Iranian ambassador to Bosnia, discussed cooperation between the Iranian Embassy and the “Ibn Sina Institute” in Bosnia on cultural work related to philosophical and mystical subjects, including the invitation of scholars such as Dr. Dinani and Dr. Tabatabaei.
He stated that after one to two years of intellectual activities, the views of media officials and private leftist and Marxist television channels in that country regarding Iranian thought and intellectual traditions had changed.
Dr. Tabatabaei’s sessions on mysticism were held at universities, Islamic centers, and with women. He 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, commemorated the late Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini and stated that the expressions Imam Khomeini used in his correspondence about his daughter-in-law, Dr. Tabatabaei, conveyed the mystical tenderness of a globally recognized figure and presented another dimension of the Revolution.
He said that in various cities in the United States, Britain, and Germany, some students and foreign individuals had asked: “Who is this Fatemeh Khanom whom the Imam speaks of so tenderly as his daughter-in-law?”
Khazaei proposed that, in addition to publishing Imam Khomeini’s written and oral works, the Institute should become a center for disseminating the character and thought of those whom Imam Khomeini had trained. He also called for comparative and analytical studies of 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 of people in Kuwait and Mauritania to Imam Khomeini.
He criticized the lack of sufficient content about Imam Khomeini in the university textbook Islamic Revolution and called for a meeting between the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, the Supreme Leader’s representative at universities, and religious studies departments to revise the textbook.
Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Taher Rabbani
Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Taher Rabbani, former Iranian ambassador to the Vatican, Qatar, and Guinea, referred to Dr. Tabatabaei’s books Eghlim-e Khaterat (“The Climate of Memories”), Sokhan-e Eshgh (“The Language of Love”), Yek Saghar az Hezar (“One Goblet from a Thousand”), and Avaye Maktoob (“The Written Voice”).
He recounted her trip to Italy at the head of a delegation from Germany. During the visit, rather than meeting officials and cardinals, Dr. Tabatabaei requested to visit the educational schools run by nuns and learn about their system of study.
Sabah Zanganeh
Sabah Zanganeh, former Iranian ambassador to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, shared an anecdote about the independent and self-sufficient spirit of the late Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini, who declined official formalities during a visit to Jeddah.
He also referred to Seyyed Ahmad Khomeini’s pivotal role during the war as a link between the Parliament and the Supreme Defense Council and Imam Khomeini.
Zanganeh further discussed the enthusiasm of university professors in Nigeria for Imam Khomeini’s works; the 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 house in Najaf; and Dr. Fatemeh Tabatabaei’s role in extracting material from Imam Khomeini.
Remarks by Women Participants
Several women subsequently shared memories and discussed essential approaches for examining how Imam Khomeini’s intellectual and mystical dimensions could be introduced to global audiences.
In this section, the wife of the late Hojjat al-Islam 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 Revolution’s victory.
Launch of the “Dalil” Fact-Checking and Verification System
At the conclusion of the three-hour meeting, a pilot version of the “Dalil” verification system, designed to combat distortions, was unveiled.
Dr. Amir Mohammad Adelani, head of the Monitoring Center at the Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, introduced the pilot version of the “Dalil” fact-checking and verification platform, which is scheduled to be officially unveiled within the next two months.
He stated that the system had been designed to safeguard Imam Khomeini’s intellectual legacy and counter the fabrication of narratives, the dissemination of false information, and the selective truncation of his statements in the media.
Within the “Dalil” system, frequently repeated statements attributed to Imam Khomeini are identified through media monitoring, research studies, and audience inquiries. These claims are then fact-checked on the basis of a careful examination of the 22-volume collection of Sahifeh-ye Imam and authenticated documents.