Updated on 17 June 2008

The students of Qum were given a very unique privilege when they were received by Ayatullah Waheed Khurasani (may Allah protect him).  The meeting was arranged by The World Federation's Qum Office and took place at the Hussainiya of Ayatullah Khurasani. Ayatullah Waheed is one of the most senior Marjas alive in the world today. 

Grand Ayatullah Shaykh Waheed Khurassani.)

A student of marhum Ayatullah Sayyid Abul Qasim al-Khoei (ra), he completed his studies in the Holy City of Najaf.  His contemporaries include such names as marhum Ayatullah Mirza Jawad Tabrizi (ra), and Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Sistani, amongst others.  Ayatullah Waheed’s Dars-e Kharij, held in the Holy Shrine of Sayyida Fatema Ma’suma (sa) is the most attended in the whole of Qum, in fact in the entire world.  There are currently over 2,000 students attending these classes.

The programme, held on the wafat of Bibi Ma'suma e Qum, began with the manager of The World Federation's Qum Office Shaykh Nadir Jaffer thanking Ayatullah Waheed for his time. He then proceeded to introduce the students to Ayatullah Khurasani by giving a brief background of the students and their field of study.

Shaykh Nadir Jaffer with Grand Ayatullah Shaykh Waheed Khurassani

Ayatullah Khurasani graciously offered words of advice to those in attendance.  The theme of his talk was the Hadith of Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (as) where he says: ‘May Allah’s mercy be upon those who revive our mission’.  He pointed out that those pursuing higher Islamic education in the Hawza were doing just that, reviving the message of the Ahlul Bayt (as) and outlined that it was a great responsibility.  He went on to give specific advice on how to ensure a “Talib-e-Ilm” would meet the criteria of one who is a reviver of the mission of the Ahlul Bayt (as).  The programme was attended by over 80 students and their families.
 
Shaykh Abbas Ismail commented, "Our office in Qum has once again managed to secure a meeting with one of the most esteemed personalities in the Shia world today. The excellent relationship that The World Federation has established with our Maraje is a credit to the office in Qum. It is an honour and a blessing for our students to have been granted such an audience. The strengthening of our ties with Maraje is another of the key objectives of The World Federation this term."

For more information, email islamiceducation@world-federation.org