Gowharshad World Prize

The third Gowharshad World Prize conference was held with the aim of introducing the female benefactors of the Islamic world.

One of the determining factors in the field of culture are the models that can be presented as tangible examples for the youths and those who are thoughtful of safeguarding cultural values. If these cultural models are in line with the people's beliefs and values, people will naturally establish a deep bond with them and will easily follow their pattern. Considering the rapid changes in the cultural products across the world and the ease with which the people, especially the youths and teenagers, access these products, one of the best ways to promote cultural values is to show easy-to-understand and handy examples as models to follow.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, addressing to Astan-e Quds Razavi, announced: "Astan-e Quds is a huge cultural capacity that can impact the public space of the country and the Muslim world; it is worthy to use this unique capacity in promoting the Quranic teachings and the school of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) with the help of cultural experts."

Astan-e Quds Razavi has taken steps to introduce cultural capacities and publicize them at global level. The Gowharshad World Prize Festival is one of these steps. Every year 8 female benefactor are introduced and appreciated during the Ten Days of Munificence covering the birth anniversary of Lady Masoumeh and Imam Reza (Blessings of God upon them). This year, 4 Iranian and 4 foreign ladies were awarded.

The Gowharshad World Prize is awarded to women of goodwill who understand the importance of goodness and have embarked on it. Therefore, this practice sets the stage for the Islamic world and humanity so that those who do good and move on the path of charity are introduced as models to the community, and others are encouraged to march in their steps. This in turn, will bolster the culture of goodness and charitable deeds in both the Iranian society and the Muslim world.

In addition, this movement refreshes the current of goodwill and encourages individuals to engage in benevolent activities. Mr. Seyed Jawad Jafari, Director of Imam Reza's International Cultural and Artistic Foundation, said: "Gowharshad World Prize includes all those who are engaged in the holy defense, those who fight falsehood, known as social benefactors, or those who extend help to deprived areas. Those who carry out research, as well as scientific, cultural and artistic activities in the field of endowment and charity, development, medical affairs and education are all introduced as benefactors. Therefore, the audience of this festival is not a limited community but it focuses on all times and places, and anyone who cares about charity throughout the world can be the audience of this message."

The good tradition of endowment is deeply rooted in the history of Muslim nations; and pursuit of charity works have been internalized among the Islamic societies since the past. In the culture of the Qur'an and the Ahl al-Bayt, charity is not restricted to financial services, but any benevolent act, that has positive material and spiritual effects for mankind, is included in the benevolence desired by Islam.

In view of this, the role of women in promotion of such deeds is undeniable, as many women, through participation in effective social affairs, have devoted themselves to serving and helping fellow women. The names of many female benefactors have been lost in the pages of history. Therefore, the need to glorify them is felt more than ever.

"Lady Gowharshad", wife of Timurid ruler Shahrukh, was an example of the female benefactors who took steps to promote the Islamic ideals and virtues. She was a wealthy and influential lady of the Iranian court. Educated by a virtuous mother, he grew up into a generous and art-loving lady, who paid special attention to knowledge, advancement and training. Lady Gowharshad is known as the symbol of convergence in the Muslim world and the "Gowharshad Mosque" with a turquoise dome beside the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) is a sign of the goodwill of this faithful woman and her dedication to the Prophet and his household.

At the Gowharshad World Prize Festival, referees reviewed the works of 120 female benefactors and selected 8 of them.

“Afsaneh Saeed Tehrani" is the lady who has built more than 50 schools."Kobra Silsupur", the wife of martyr Andarzgoo, had been active along her husband's struggles against the Pahlavi regime for many years. "Najmeh Karbalai Nowruz”, selected entrepreneur, was active in relief efforts like Bam earthquake. Translator of several books, "Leyla Landi Esfahani", university lecturer is an activist in cultural affairs and affairs of patients. These are four Iranian ladies who have been nominated as the winners of the third Gowharshad World Prize.

Hojjatoleslam Ebrahim Raeesi, Custodian of Astan-e Quds Razavi, in the closing ceremony of the third Gowharshad World Prize, said: "The really good deed is that it comes from a non-profiteering mind. Charity has indicators, and every giving in the world is not an act of dignity and magnanimity. The first indicator of a dignified giving is that it is done for the sake of the Creator of the Universe. There is no difference between women and men in attaining moral virtues and reaching the peaks of perfection; but women play a very important role in social change and formation of a charitable society which is adorned with moral virtues. Women have moved ahead of men in carrying out beneficial activities and even in endowment affairs. There is always a female benefactor behind a man."

Ebrahim Raeesi added: "Today, thanks to the Islamic Revolution, women have a significant role in society and the Gowharshad Prize is awarded with the goal of introducing female benefactors, discovering talents, and promoting benevolence among mankind, especially women, so that all aspects of the life of female benefactors of the Islamic world are reviewed and presented as a model to society. Social change will not take place until women are present. As long as women do not achieve their real status in society, these developments will not occur."

In the international section of Gowharshad World Prize, four non-Iranian ladies were awarded because of their activities in the domains of resistance, Islamic Awakening, culture, charity, urban development, medicine, education and research. Nigerian lady, Jumai Ahmed Karoufi, brave combatant and mother of 5 martyrs of Zaria tragedy; director and filmmaker from Thailand, Dara Kiyati Tarai benefactor with a record of nearly four decades of social, cultural and educational services and founder of the Thai Muslim Women's Foundation; the Tanzanian lady "Khairan Albahai Mamakike, child care and education activist; and British lady "Um Farwah Naqavi", head of the Association of European Muslim Women, sponsor of poor families and the founder of “Labbaik Ya Zahra” Institute in London, were honored.

Dara Kiyati Tarai said, "I take care of 140 orphans every year, including Muslim and non-Muslim boys and girls, and I protect them until the university stage." This Thai female benefactor added, "There are many women in Thailand who have a charity to protect orphans, but because of the fact that this institution is active internationally, I came to Iran as a selected figure."

Jumai Ahmed Karoufi, another lady who is member of Islamic movement of Nigeria said, "There is a difficult situation in Nigeria, and although sometimes we are assaulted and arrested for expansion of our activities even at home, we do not reduce and iota of our determination to work in the way of God; it rather strengthens our actions so that we can do more things in this regard.” As one of the selected Nigerian Muslim women, she said, "We have recognized the true Islam and we are working to spread it."

FK/RM/ME