Rasa – Dr. Muhammad Legenhausen appreciated the support of Ayatollah Mesbah-Yazdi and said, “Ayatollah Mesbah-Yazdi has supported me from before I came to Iran until now and no one has supported me as much as he has.” RNA – Dr. Muhammad Legenhausen spoke at a special ceremony dedicated his academic endeavours at the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute in Qom.
In a speech accepting the award, Dr. Legenhausen offered his congratulations on the occasion of the holy month of Sha’ban and said, “Thanks to all the organizers of this ceremony and I know I’m not worthy of this honour.”
The faculty member at the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute said, “I’ve always tried to keep away from lust, wealth and reputation so I don’t participate in such meetings.”
He added, “When I came to Iran, the students and professors treated me with kindness and I thank everyone, especially Ayatollah Mesbah-Yazdi, who, from before I came to Iran until now, has supported me and no one has supported me as much as he has.”
Referring to the relationship between religion and philosophy, Dr. Legenhausen said, “The principle of pilgrimage is performing it with the heart and the servants of the shrine sweep the shrine for pilgrimage and the philosophy of sweeping is the soul.”
He continued, “Philosophy sweeps away dirty thoughts so that one can perform the pilgrimage in a sincere manner.”
Dr. Gary (Muhammad) Legenhausen is an American philosopher who teaches at the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute, which is directed by Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi. He converted to Islam in 1983.
Rasa News Agency
112/979