In the first ceremony of international Goharshad award, Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Seyyed Ibrahim Raeisi introduced women's role in promoting humans and continuing charity movements as very important and reminded, "Source of many good and big services done by great men of the history was a noble mother, a wife, or a sister". This ceremony was held at the Quds auditorium of the Razavi Holy Shrine.
Member of the supreme council of Khorasan seminary recognized great role of women in many redemptive and divine movements as salient and referred to their role during country's eight-year war. He also stressed, "We witnessed great role of mothers and wives during the imposed war and we saw that they not only prevent their men from the presence at the front lines but also encourage them for the Islamic jihad".
Referring to the sacrifices of faithful women in other countries, member of the managing board of the experts assembly said, "Sacrifices of the Muslim women are not limited to Iranians, but there are some other examples such as respectable wife and family of Sheikh Zakzaky who had great role in the resistance of Sheikh Zakzaky and this role is really valuable and undeniable".
Devotion, Key Factor of Immortality
In continuation of his talk, he referred to the great position of devotion in Islam and introduced Imam Ali (A.S.) and Hazrat Fatima (A.S.) as the very first benefactors of Islam. He also said, "These two great persons are models for men and women in all eras and centuries and they have shown that there is no difference between men and women when it comes to human dignity, charity, and promotion and growth toward God".
Member of the assembly of experts introduced devotion as a purifying factor for the stability of human's soul and also immortality. He also stressed, "During Islam's history, devotion has always been a factor for developing and wide spreading Muslims' religious principles. It has also been an empowering factor for the propagation of Islamic culture".
He said that Astan Quds Razavi's economic cycle is based on two factors of devotion and oblation and also said, "Economic activities are among the side works of Astan Quds Razavi and what this organization has been based on both in the past and today is devotion and oblation".
Noting that Ms. Goharshad has been a graduate of Prophet Muhammad's (S.A.W.) and his descendants'(A.S.) Islamic school, Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Raeisi stated, "This noble lady's life shows that Islam's teachings do not belong to any particular group or sect".
Every one with a bright heart who seeks for Islamic values and those related to human's growth can attract guiding lights of Islam and can be a source for change in the history of Islam even if he does not come from religious family.
He introduced Goharshad mosque as an effective place in wide spreading the divine orders and said, "Goharshad's Islamic change created, with his name and also name of the Islamic society some blessed works such as Ghoharshad Grand Mosque".
Referring to Ms. Goharshad's recommendations about the affairs of the mosque, Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi said, "Her recommendations on the spending and also her attention to the Razavi Saadats' role in managing the mosque show her thoughts and beliefs so that she can create a base for the devotees of Household of the Apostle of God (S.A.W)".
Offering Goharshad award with a focus on the Islam's benefactor ladies was introduced by member of the supreme council of Khorasan Seminary as an effective act which came into reality by the special attention of Imam Reza (A.S.).
Noting that this award is a symbolic move, Hujjat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Raeisi reminded, "This award cannot cover all the benefactor and scientist ladies in the Islamic world, however, the purpose is to encourage all the faithful ladies of the world to strive, with their life and property, for the promotion of religious culture, charity affairs, helping the poor, and Jihad for God".
It is worth mention that four of the superior Iranian ladies were appreciated. These four benefactor ladies include Fatima Navvab Safavi, revolutionary jihadist and responsible of Navvab Safavi cultural institute, Simindokht Vahidi, mother of revolution's poem, Lobat Geranpayeh, Specialist physician and benefactor, and Khadijeh Neyzari, member of the country's assembly of benefactors.
Also, Maftouneh Ataam, an active woman from Turkey and chief of Hazrat Zahra's (A.S.) society, Shole Shakib, revolutionary physician from Bahrain, Nazanin Karim, chief of the Shi'ite sisters network in Kenya, and Halimeh Khalf Saleh Jibouri, Iraqi fighter against Takfiris were non-Iranian ladies who were appreciated in this ceremony.
Sheikh Zakzay's daughter who is also sister of six martyrs was appreciated in the same ceremony.
