A seminar and memorial meeting were held at the University of Dhaka on Monday afternoon marking the 40th day of the martyrdom of Ali Khamenei, former Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The event took place at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium and was jointly organised by the Dhaka office of Al-Mustafa International University and the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU).

Titled “Political and Religious Leadership of Sayyid Ali Khamenei: Theory and Practice in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the seminar was attended by Iran’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi as the chief guest.

Special guest was Dr Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Dainik Amar Desh. The keynote paper was presented by Prof Dr Md Abul Kalam Azad of the Department of Islamic History and Culture at the University of Dhaka, while Prof Dr Md Abu Sayeem, Chairman of the Department of World Religions and Culture, took part in the discussion on the paper.

The seminar was presided over by Hujjatul Islam wal Muslimeen Shahabuddin Mashayekhi Rad, representative of Al-Mustafa International University in Bangladesh. Among others, DUCSU Literary and Cultural Affairs Secretary Musaddik Ali Ibn Mohammad attended the event as a distinguished guest.

Speakers at the seminar described Ayatollah Khamenei as a prominent spiritual figure, a resolute leader and a guide for people seeking liberation. They said under his leadership over the past three years, Iran achieved notable progress in science, knowledge and other sectors, emerging as a major global power.

They also alleged that Iran mounted strong resistance in what they described as an unjust war imposed by the United States and Israel, surprising its adversaries.

The speakers further said that Ayatollah Khamenei stood firm against adversaries in a manner comparable to historic Islamic figures and attained the honour of martyrdom. They added that under the current leadership, Iran continues to follow his path and remains capable of countering external challenges.