According to AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA), Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, during a meeting with groups of women and girls held on Tuesday, December 18, 2024, at Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh, highlighted the achievements of women in scientific and research activities at universities and seminaries. He stated: Today, the number of female mujtahids is not small, and I even believe that in many women’s issues, where men may not have the right understanding, women should emulate female mujtahids.
Throughout history, there have always been courageous women who have worked alongside men in various fields and made an impact on their country’s history. There have also been those who, by trusting in women’s abilities and making opportunities available, created suitable conditions for their growth and excellence. Indeed, the advancement and prosperity of any country are closely linked to the empowerment of its women. Until 1971, under the Shah’s regime, women interested in religious studies had no schools for these sciences. With the support of Ayatollah Subhani and Ayatollah Shariatmadari, the first foundations of a women's seminary in Qom were established. In light of the recent remarks by the Supreme Leader regarding women emulating female jurists, we decided to introduce one of the influential women in this field to seekers of knowledge.
Hajieh Lady Golgiri was one of the first women to study Islamic sciences under great scholars such as Ayatollah Meshkini and Ayatollah Subhani. We pray for her long, honorable life and increasing health. Below is a brief account of her life and her extensive scientific and educational activities.
Lady Mujtahida Masoumeh Golgiri was born on November 1, 1949, in a religious family in Abadan. After elementary school, she continued to high school until the ninth grade. However, in the tenth grade, due to the ban on hijab during Farrokhroo Parsa’s tenure as Minister of Education, she was forced to leave school and turned to learning handicrafts. In her teens, through the presence of some students of Lady Amin Isfahani in Abadan, she became familiar with the life and works of Lady Amin Isfahani, which sparked her interest in religious studies.
Entry into the Fatimiyyah School of Abadan
During those years, preachers would come from Tehran to Abadan for the months of Muharram, Safar, and Ramadan, reciting and translating the Quran at the Esfahani Hosseiniyeh. Among the active preachers at the time were Mrs. Katouzian and Mrs. Zeinatbakhsh, who announced the establishment of the Fatimiyyah School in Abadan, saying that those unable to attend the Shah’s high schools could now study there.
In 1967, Lady Masoumeh Golgiri and her sister Khadijeh Golgiri entered the Fatimiyyah School in Abadan. Before them, a few sisters had already started their studies, and the Golgiri sisters joined them, working hard to reach the same academic level. With their prior high school education and knowledge of Arabic, they managed to reach the level of their peers in just six months. There, Lady Golgiri studied foundational religious texts such as Suyuti, Mughni, Ma'ani, Bayan, and Lum’ah, as well as modern subjects like psychology, sociology, philosophy, and contemporary studies with leading scholars such as Ayatollah Subhani, Ayatollah Beheshti, and Ayatollah Mousavi.
Migration to Qom
In 1971, after four years of studies, upon Ayatollah Subhani’s recommendation for further academic growth and benefiting from renowned seminary teachers in Qom, and after receiving their parents’ consent, the sisters and several friends requested permission to continue their studies in Qom. Thus, she, her sister, and a group of friends migrated to Qom to study Islamic sciences. With the help of prominent scholars, five young women from Abadan began their studies under the guidance of the learned in Qom.
No Women’s Seminary in Qom Before Her Migration
Until 1971, there was no women’s seminary in Qom. In the mid-1960s, many Islamic schools for girls were established across Iran. For example, Sheikh Abbasali Sabzevari Islami established branches of Jami'at Ta'limat Islami schools throughout Iran, many of which were for girls. Other religious schools for girls were also established during this time in different cities, such as the Refah School in Tehran, but there was no dedicated seminary for women.
Formation of the First Core Group
After efforts by Ayatollah Subhani and with Ayatollah Shariatmadari’s support, a house was rented on Safaiyeh Street and with their backing, the conditions for women’s studies were provided. At first, they lived in a house owned by Mr. Yahya Borghaei, where under Ayatollah Subhani’s supervision, they studied advanced texts with Ayatollah Meshkini, Ayatollah Anvari, the late Haqqani (head of the Haqqani School), the late Haqqi, and Ayatollah Shahidi. Later, classes were held in the same place, attended by the wives and daughters of scholars, such as the wife and daughter of Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi and Ms. Farideh Khomeini, daughter of Imam Khomeini.
A New Place for Incoming Students
Due to the growing number of students and lack of space, a new location was found. In Beygdeli Alley, a house belonging to Mr. Rabbani Shirazi was rented, where new students were accommodated and classes held. Notable students there included the late Hajieh Asefi and the late Hajieh Naderi. The reputation of Qom’s women’s seminary spread, attracting women from far and wide, prompting officials to consider a larger facility.
Establishment of the Tawhid School in 1973
A benefactor from Tehran, Haj Abdullah Tavassoli, funded the construction of a new building for women’s religious education. This school, named Maktab Tawhid, was built on Nasser Alley, now Shahid Montazeri Boulevard. Following its establishment, Ayatollah Ghodousi was appointed manager at the suggestion of Rabbani Shirazi and Rabbani Amoli.
Teaching at Dar al-Zahra and Maktab Fatimah al-Zahra
After the founding of Maktab Tawhid, the Golgiri sisters continued their education and teaching at a new location called Dar al-Zahra on Ark Alley. They remained there until the revolution, after which they briefly left Dar al-Zahra for domestic responsibilities. After the revolution, they joined Maktab Fatimah al-Zahra, where Lady Masoumeh Golgiri became the director and her sister Khadijeh took up teaching. By then, several seminaries had been established in Qom, each under the supervision of different scholars.
Imam Khomeini’s Decree for the Establishment of Jamiat al-Zahra
In 1984, Imam Khomeini issued a decree for the establishment of Jamiat al-Zahra, consolidating all existing women’s seminaries under one administration at the Salariyeh intersection. Lady Masoumeh Golgiri was appointed by Ayatollah Tabatabaei as the director of student affairs at Jamiat al-Zahra for nine years, and her sister became responsible for the international affairs of Maktab Tawhid. Later, Ayatollah Tabatabaei assigned her to teach advanced courses to Level 4 students at Jamiat al-Zahra, a role she still holds today.
Islamic Revolution Policy in Supporting Women’s Education
During the Pahlavi era, the cultural climate was fraught with moral crisis and corruption, prompting many religious families to send their daughters to Islamic schools. These private schools were highly sought after, but because many families could not afford the fees, some girls were deprived of education for financial or cultural reasons. After the Islamic Revolution, the government’s supportive policies resulted in a surge in girls’ and women’s education. Within two decades, literacy among women increased from 47 percent in 1979 to 91 percent, and by the 2000s, women made up over 60 percent of university admissions. By the academic year 2019–2020, more than 100,000 female students were studying in women's seminaries across Iran.
Teachers
Among her teachers were: Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani, Ayatollah Tabrizi, Ayatollah Montazeri, Ayatollah Ostadi, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, and Ayatollah Subhani.
We wish Lady Mujtahida Masoumeh Golgiri a long and honorable life.
This report was prepared after a detailed interview with Lady Khadijeh Golgiri, the sister of Lady Mujtahida Masoumeh Golgiri.
Prepared by: Zahra Salehi Far
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