On National Talent Day, Iran celebrates the remarkable contributions of its scholars, researchers, and entrepreneurs. A quarter of the individuals supported by the National Foundation for Elites are women, demonstrating their significant impact on the nation’s intellectual and economic landscape. As the country mourns a national loss, a leader calls for resilience and inspiration, drawing parallels to the teachings of Imam Hussein.
Deep Condolences and Mourning
In his meeting with the elites today, Ayatollah Khamenei, expressed his deep condolences, saying: ‘We are mourning these days; especially, I am deeply saddened. The incident that occurred is not a small matter; the loss of Seyed Hassan Nasrallah is a significant loss and has truly made us sorrowful.’
Meeting Despite Public Mourning
‘Despite the atmosphere of public mourning in the country, and the fact that it is truly a time of sorrow, I did not postpone this meeting. This meeting was scheduled beforehand and could have been held next week, for example. However, I thought this matter should not be delayed. This orientation towards nurturing talent and expertise should not be set back. So, we held the meeting.’
Mourning as a Catalyst for Action
‘This meeting carries a message for us, and its message is that although we are in mourning, our mourning does not mean grieving, becoming depressed, and withdrawing. Our mourning is of the same kind as the mourning of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). It is life-giving and invigorating.
We are in mourning, but this mourning drives us towards action, progress, and greater enthusiasm for work. I want this message to truly penetrate our hearts and minds. We should feel that our mourning should also propel us forward.’
Women’s Perspectives on National Issues
In this meeting, moreover, the following women presented their views and suggestions regarding various national issues:
- Maryam Rezapoor: A PhD in Industrial Engineering and the top-ranking graduate of her doctoral program.
- Hannaneh Khorram-Dashti: A 12th-grade student at Farzangan 2 High School and the gold medalist of the 2024 International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad.