9 New Programs of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute Announced
The farewell and introduction ceremony for the former and news head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute was held in the presence of Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab, the representative of the Supreme Leader for Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs, the deputies of the Supreme Leader’s delegation, and the staff of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute in the holy city of Qom.
According to the Hajj Information Base, during the ceremony, the three-year services of Dr. Mirza Alizadeh, the former head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute, were appreciated and Hojjat al-Islam Mehdi Rostamnejad was introduced as the new head of the research institute.
Hope for the promotion of the research institute to a research institute
Dr. Mirza Alizadeh, the former head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute, while thanking the representative of the Supreme Leader for Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs and the Supreme Leader’s delegation, presented a report on the four-year activities of the institute and expressed hope that the research center would become a research institute in the future.
He considered serving in the mission of the Supreme Leader a valuable opportunity, and added, "Serving pilgrims and activists in the field of Hajj and pilgrimage is a valuable and precious work."
Hajj, a center for education and humanization
Hojjat al-Islam Mehdi Rostamnejad, the new head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute, pointed out the high capacity of Hajj, pilgrimage and holy shrines, and emphasized the importance of education, training and skill development in this field.
Referring to the Supreme Leader's view on the issue of Hajj, he said, "Hajj is a hotbed of education and training and a factory for humanization, and the research institute must determine its place on this path."
He also emphasized the necessity of moving towards a new Islamic civilization, stating that provincial governance in the Islamic Republic of Iran is a unique model in the world.
The new head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Institute outlined the future plans of this complex in nine areas:
1. Developing interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral cooperation
2. Identifying and attracting capable researchers
3. Focusing on the real needs of pilgrims and solving practical problems
4. Promoting creativity and utilizing the scientific capacities of seminaries
5. Utilizing new technologies, including artificial intelligence
6. Creating extensive research networks
7. Knowledge management and transferring scientific experiences
8. Creating a healthy research atmosphere and promoting scientific competitions
9. Planning to upgrade the research center to a research institute
Hojjat al-Islam Rostamnejad finally emphasized that the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Center must determine its role in the current world conditions and take serious steps towards realizing a new Islamic civilization.
Dr. Mirza Alizadeh has been the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Center since 15 Ordibehesht 1400. Hojjat al-Islam Mehdi Rostamnejad, the new head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Research Center, also has a long history in educational, research and investigative affairs. Previously, he was responsible for the educational deputy of the country's seminaries.
