Lucknow: Shia PG College hosted a felicitation ceremony in honour of Ayatollah Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi, representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India. College management, trustees, faculty members, teachers and students attended the event, where discussions focused on education, social development, cultural values and the historical ties between India and Iran.
Addressing the gathering, Hakim Elahi expressed his pleasure at visiting the institution and praised its 108-year contribution to education and society. He said the college was not merely an educational institution but also reflected the history and cultural heritage of Lucknow.
He appreciated the college’s multicultural identity, noting that teachers from different religious backgrounds work together to educate students. He said such diversity could contribute to greater social understanding and development.
Hakim Elahi emphasised the need for the institution to build on its legacy rather than rely solely on its past achievements. He urged students to pursue excellence in both religious and modern education, particularly in emerging fields such as technology and artificial intelligence.
He also called for the college to strengthen its identity as a centre for social development, dialogue and mutual understanding. Referring to the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt, he encouraged students to translate values such as justice, ethics and good conduct into everyday life.
Earlier, Majlis-e-Ulama secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas highlighted the college’s academic contribution over the past 108 years. He said around 10,000 students are currently enrolled at the institution and cited its reported academic achievements, including students receiving more than 10 gold medals annually at Lucknow University’s convocation.
College Manager Abbas Murtaza Shamsi described Shia PG College as a multicultural educational institution and said such exchanges could contribute to stronger friendship and cooperation between India and Iran.
Senior Board of Trustees member Dr S.S.H. Naqvi, IQAC Director Dr M.M. Abu Tayyab, Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Aziz Haider and Principal Prof. Shabiha Raza Baqri also addressed the gathering. They highlighted the institution’s academic achievements, NAAC ‘A’ grade accreditation and contribution to the educational and cultural heritage of Awadh.
Faculty members, non-teaching staff and students were also present at the ceremony.
