Ayatollah Alavi Gorgani: Politicians must adhere to Islamic values

“Scholars and government officials are influential figures in every society, that’s why they need to observe their behaviors in order to set good examples for other members of the society to learn.”

Speaking at a meeting in Qom on Sunday, February 19, Ayatollah Alavi Gorgani, a Shia cleric, highlighted the crucial role of education in Islam by saying, “Education and training are key elements in promoting Islamic teachings within the Muslim communities; that’s why the policy makers need to plan better programs in order to educate children on such Islamic values.”

The Shia scholar further reiterated that adherence to Islamic principles is the way to approach Allah almighty and seek proximity towards him and added, “If one loves Allah (swt), he or she will seek proximity to him as well as to Ahlulbayt (as); this will in turn protect them from committing vice and guide them to felicity.”

The Shia source of emulation also said that if one wishes to influence people by his words or actions in order to help them adhere to religious principles, he or she must first believe and act on those principles themselves; “Scholars and government officials are influential figures in every society, that’s why they need to observe their own behaviors in order to set good examples for other members of the society to learn.” Hawzah quoted him as saying.