Friday prayers are a reminder of the ideal of building Islamic civilization.

According to Ashura News, citing Mehr News Agency, on the occasion of the 5th of Mordad, the anniversary of the first Friday prayer after the Islamic Revolution, a ceremony was held in the holy city of Qom with the presence of the servants of the Friday Prayer Headquarters.

In his speech at the ceremony, Hojjatoleslamwal-Muslimin Haj Ali Akbari, the head of the National Friday Imams Policy Council, considered Friday prayers a manifestation of the freshness of faith, worship, epicness, and insight, and stated: We hope that we all benefit from the blessings and prayers of that Imam.

Referring to the holding of this ceremony near the shrine of the Ahlul-Bayt (peace be upon them) in the city of Qom, Hojjatoleslamwal-Muslimin Haj Ali Akbari considered this coincidence as a good omen and said: “All Fridays are memorable for us, but this week’s Friday brings back more intense memories in our minds.”

He considered Friday the "master of the days" and the weekly feast of Muslims, in which the freshness of faith, worship, passion, epicness, insight, and awareness together bring purity and freshness to the community of believers.

Referring to verses from the Quran, Hojjatoleslam wal-Muslimeen Haj Ali Akbari emphasized: According to the command of the Holy Prophet, the gathering of believers and holding Friday prayers has a special place as a religious and social duty.

The head of the Friday Imams' Policy Council continued by emphasizing the continuation of the spiritual glory of this religious-political ritual and considered Friday prayers one of the great fruits of the Islamic Revolution, which should be held more fruitfully day by day with the widespread presence of the people.

Friday prayers are a declaration of readiness for the emergence and victory of the Imam of the Age

The head of the Friday Imams' Policy Council, expressing the unique position of Friday prayers, considered this obligation a divine gift and a legacy of the blood of martyrs that should be protected like a sweet life.

Emphasizing the necessity of "Friday studies" and trying to understand the secrets of this obligation, he said: "The divine call in the verse "In Kuntam Taalmun" calls us to discover the hidden wisdom in Friday prayers. This prayer is an exceptional obligation that encompasses various aspects of worship, social, political, cultural and spiritual.

The head of the Friday Imams' Policy Council described attendance at Friday prayers as a droplet connecting the believer with the ocean of the Islamic nation and added: Participation in this political worship ritual is carried out on a day when the good news of the emergence of the divine justice-spreader has been given. Those who participate in Friday prayers are, in fact, declaring their readiness to be present at the final liberating scene of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him).

He continued: This atmosphere is a state of active expectation and readiness to help the Imam of the Age; a great, purified, fragrant and full of spiritual freshness in the house of God that is formed in the prayer rooms.

Referring to the statement of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, who called Friday prayers an “exceptional obligation,” Haj Ali Akbari added: “Thanks to the blessings of the Islamic Revolution and the efforts of the late Imam, we have Friday prayers; this great blessing was watered with the pure blood of the martyrs and eliminated a deficiency that existed in our society. Friday prayers are not just an achievement, but the blood of the Islamic Revolution.”

Referring to the enduring statement of Imam Khomeini (RA), who said, “If the revolution had only given us Friday prayers, it would have been enough,” he stated: “This sentence shows how much Friday prayers are on the level of the Islamic Revolution.”

The head of the Friday Imams Policy Council also considered Friday prayers to be a reminder of the memories of the sacred defense, the dispatch of warriors to the fronts, and pure scenes of unity, faith, and sacrifice of the people, and said: “Over all these years, we have witnessed a divine miracle up close in the presence of believers during Friday prayers. Fridays in the Islamic Revolution are full of memories and spirituality.”

Friday Prayer is the Bastion of Defeating Seditions and Declaring the Readiness of the Ansar al-Mahdi Army

Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Hajj Ali Akbari considered Friday Prayer not only a religious obligation, but also an effective stage in defeating seditions, supporting the Palestinian cause, and preparing for the emergence of the Imam of the Age, may God have mercy on him.

Referring to the historical role of Friday Prayer in confronting seditions, he said: It was Friday Prayer that defeated the plans of sedition. Since the beginning of the revolution, Fridays and Friday Prayer have been days of drops and seas of faith for us, and a bastion of defending Islam and the Palestinian cause.

The head of the Friday Imams Policy Council, emphasizing the political and social role of Friday Prayer, added: Since the very first days of the revolution, the flag of defending Palestine has been waved on Friday. Marches connected to Friday Prayer have always been a platform for declaring one’s position, expressing loyalty, and supporting the oppressed.

Referring to the two-year resistance of the people of Gaza against the aggression of the Zionist regime, he said: "This week's Friday prayer is a Friday of anger and victory; a day to take a stand and cry out in support of the oppressed Palestinian people throughout the country."

Hojjatoleslam Walmuslim Haj Ali Akbari continued by referring to the memory of the days of the Sacred Defense and the nation's encounter with the news of the martyrdom of generals, scientists, and commanders, and stated: "In the most difficult moments, the Iranian nation showed its first reaction in Friday prayers. Those scenes are among the most glorious epics in the history of the revolution."

Recalling the historic Friday prayers led by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, including the Friday prayer after the martyrdom of Hajj Qassem Soleimani, and the Friday prayer of Victory after the conspiracies of the enemies in the region, he said: "In these prayers, divine tranquility descends on the hearts of the believers, and the faithful people, with calm hearts, hand in hand, declare their determination to continue the path of the revolution and prepare for the emergence."

The head of the Friday Imams' Policy Council added: "The Friday prayer is the preparation field of the Ansar al-Mahdi army; a place to declare loyalty to the guardianship of the jurist and the deputy of the Imam of the Age. This army, with its steadfastness, resistance, and enlightenment, prepares the ground for the emergence."

The head of the Friday Imams' Policy Council concluded by emphasizing: "The Friday prayer is a divine gift and the weekly covenant of the nation with its Imam; a refuge for faith, insight, unity, and victory that must be cherished with all one's heart and soul."

Friday Prayer is a Reminder of the Ideal of Building Islamic Civilization

In another part of his speech, the Chairman of the Policy-Making Council of Friday Imams of the country, stating that “a strong Iran is a reminder of the great ideal of building Islamic civilization,” emphasized: Friday Prayer is one of the unique blessings of the Islamic Revolution and we must appreciate this great divine blessing more than ever.

Referring to the divine and popular nature of Friday Prayer, he added: This sacred institution is a merciful establishment and a blessed institution that, in the words of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, should be considered a ground for divine mercy. Friday is the day of mercy and forgiveness, and Friday Prayer is the channel for the descent of these divine blessings.

Hojjatoleslam Walmuslim Haj Ali Akbari mentioned the handing over of Friday Prayer to the people as a valuable initiative and said: From the beginning, it was decided that the people would be the ones to manage Friday Prayer. For this purpose, a Friday Prayer Organizing Committee was formed and a group of volunteers from believers and lovers of Friday Prayer spend part of their Friday time preparing the preparations for this worship service; From sound, light, and cooling to carpets and catering.

He emphasized: "Participating in Friday prayers, according to the narrations, is like a weekly Umrah, and God has provided a great reward for it." During the years after the Islamic Revolution, thousands of faithful and revolutionary forces have been servants of this merciful institution with enthusiasm, serving as colleagues of Friday imams throughout the country.

Referring to the social composition of the Friday prayer headquarters, the head of the Friday imams' policy-making council noted: "Today, we are witnessing the presence of sisters and brothers, veterans, youth, and teenagers in this complex; a beautiful combination that must be maintained and strengthened in all Friday prayer bases in the country. Currently, such a structure is in place in about 900 Friday prayer bases throughout the country, with the presence of different segments of the people."

He emphasized: "Intergenerational communication must be maintained in Friday prayer headquarters so that this continuous and dynamic flow continues. The presence of teenagers and young people alongside veterans and sisters and brothers guarantees the dynamism of this institution." This is a double blessing that we should be grateful for.

Referring to the pivotal role of mosques, Hojjatoleslam Walmuslim Haj Ali Akbari continued by saying: The Friday prayer gathering is the result of the gathering of mosques. The best of society are in mosques and the best of mosques are present in Friday prayers. As the connection between Friday prayer headquarters and mosques is strengthened, the quality and splendor of Friday prayers will also increase.

He added: An active group of believers should be formed in every mosque as the arms of the Friday prayer headquarters so that this connection becomes deep-rooted and coherent. Friday prayer, which is the seat of faith, insight, and piety, should support mosques and encourage people to attend the houses of God.

The head of the Friday Imams Policy Council announced a successful initiative in some cities and said: In some areas, a mosque is introduced as the host of Friday prayers every week. Its members take on the responsibility of the Grand Mosque, the executive and other matters, and at the end, they introduce their mosque to the people. This initiative has had many blessings and can be implemented in other regions as well.

He continued to emphasize: Friday prayers must continue their path with strength by preserving their popular characteristics and intergenerational composition. This divine institution can be the driving force of the Islamic society and the promoter of the path of a new Islamic civilization.

The necessity of transformation and synergy of Friday prayer headquarters on the path of excellence and prosperity

Hujjatoleslam Walmuslim Haj Ali Akbari, head of the National Friday Imams Policy Council, continued, referring to the transformational measures taken in the Friday prayer headquarters, and said: Friday prayer headquarters have entered the path of excellence and prosperity with redoubled effort over the past three years and have taken their place in the environment of religious messages.

Stating that training, briefing sessions, empowerment and exchange of experiences between headquarters are seriously on the agenda, he added: Valuable measures have been taken at the national level and several festivals are being held, of which the "Heart of the City" festival is one of them. The Supreme Leader of the Revolution bestowed the title of "Heart of the City" to Friday prayers, and this title has been manifested today in the form of healthy competition between headquarters.

The head of the National Friday Imams Policy Council emphasized: We are still a long way from fulfilling the right of Friday prayers. Friday prayers are a great right and we all have serious responsibilities in this regard. This duty is not limited to Friday prayer headquarters alone, but first and foremost Friday imams have the primary responsibility, and then local officials, managers and all segments of the believing community must help promote Friday prayers with their support, presence and participation.

He appreciated the public support and jihadi activities in holding Friday prayers and said: "The prayer rooms must be made more beautiful and appropriate, and this is possible by combining all capacities."

Haj Ali Akbari also pointed out the role of the national media and added: The Iranian Broadcasting Corporation has a great duty in calling for Friday prayers and should call people to attend Friday prayers on Thursdays with subtle, artistic, direct and indirect expressions.

He continued by thanking the Qom Friday Prayer Headquarters, the IRGC, the Basij, and other supporting groups, and said: Today, on behalf of all the headquarters in the country, I have visited the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh (PBUH) and I am praying for everyone. We should all try to fulfill the wish of the Leader of the Revolution to flourish Friday prayers by presenting our own initiatives.

The head of the National Friday Imams Policy Council concluded by praying for the blessings of God, the victory of the Resistance Front, the victory of the oppressed people of Gaza, and the protection of the Leader of the Revolution.