Dear mrezasaleh-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question. I've recently done some research on this and other issues
related to cultures of the Middle East for a presentation at a
Criminal Justice Institute. I'm happy to share some of it with you.
Historically, the respect that students show for their teachers in
Iran is related to cultural and religious training and traditions. It
is also a matter of proper etiquette and appropriate placement in the
long established cultural hierarchy.
In Iran, discipline and authority are factors of great social
importance. Community, structure and mutual respect between all
parties is strongly emphasized in all facets of life. In schools,
where teachers are accepted as the bearers of knowledge and the
examples by which a student should live and work, the teacher is
revered as the esteemed leader and guide and is greatly admired for
the work he does, the service he provides and his devotion to his
students. By the same token, the teacher places great value in his
students and reciprocates with patience, genuine care and sincerity in
the interest of his students’ achievements.
Beyond this, parents play an important role in the relationship
enjoyed by students and teachers in Iran. The relationship between
teachers and parents in Iran is indeed a venerable one. By providing
their children with the proper example and showing great admiration
for teachers themselves, the children assimilate to the proper
discipline. In so doing, they follow the examples of their parents and
place their teachers in high, almost loving, regard. A status almost
equivalent to the regard they have for the parents themselves.
The sanctity of mutual respect cannot be understated in Iran. It is
the hub concept of all structural success and tranquility in social,
professional and religious life. While some societies promote
diversity, fairness and/or love as the most heralded virtues, the
culture of Iran operates on the premise that mutual respect is the
mother of all of these virtues. All facets of behavior stem from the
level of mutual respect one has with others, both higher and lower in
class than himself. Giving and receiving mutual respect instinctively,
without forethought is the common goal; and this factor ideally leads
to societal harmony.
Islam, the primary religion of Iran, is of course one of the greatest
factors in the level of mutual respect students and teachers in Iran
share, but even here it is influenced by mutual respect. An important
passage in The Quran commands “These are they whom Allah guided,
therefore follow their guidance. Say: I do not ask you for any reward
for it; it is nothing but a reminder to the nations.”. This type of
law is repeated time and time again and is only one of the many the
principles that governs not only mutual respect but tolerance, love,
admiration and knowing of one’s place – including how one should
behave in an educational setting. It is a reminder of the need to
emulate exemplary individuals in order to become one yourself and hope
to gain the respect of others. Here are some other passages of
interest related to such behavior which are covered in this very
interesting and relevant article:
RESPECTING TEACHERS
http://www.alminbar.com/khutbaheng/1055.htm
“The first thing we should start with, in my opinion, is to get
students accustomed to respect their instructors and fulfill their
rights, especially when the teacher is a righteous and honorable one.
This behavior is an Islamic one which is proven by the texts of the
Sunnah. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam said, “Seek knowledge
and train to be dignified and calm while seeking knowledge, and humble
yourselves with those whom you learn from” (Tabaraani).”
“Arrogance with the one you learn from is an evil trait and one who
has such a characteristic will never succeed; slighting the teacher,
mocking him and humiliating him are characteristics of hypocrites, as
the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam said, “Three types of people
would not be mocked except by a hypocrite, an old Muslim man, a
knowledgeable person and a just leader” (Tabaraani).
“O Muslims! Humbleness with the teacher is a way leading to success,
and results in attaining knowledge. This is how Islam instructs us and
guides us, and this is one of the rights of the teacher upon the
student, and all people within the community should fulfill this
right. Oppression of teachers and scholars will only happen in a
period during which corruption prevails, and the Prophet sallallaahu
‘alaihi wasallam sought refuge in Allaah from such times, and
supplicated to Allaah not to make him witness such times.”
“Sahl Ibn Sa’d As-saa’idi, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated
that the Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam said, “O Allaah! Do
not let me reach a time during which scholars are not followed, and
honorable people are not respected” (Ahmad). If we look at the story
of Prophet Moosaa with Al-Khadr, as Allaah informs saying which means,
“(Moses) said: 'You will find me, if Allaah wills, patient, and I will
not disobey you in (any) order'” (Al-Kahf: 69). This is how the
character of person seeking knowledge should be; he must know that his
honor and might is in his humbleness with his instructor and scholar.”
Finally, another important factor is discipline. To be undisciplined
in Iranian society (and other similar societies) is a personal
disgrace. Lack of discipline is avoided at all costs, especially in a
social, professional or academic setting. Contrary to what many people
believe they know about Iranian culture, corporal punishment and
violence in an academic setting is relatively unheard of. Students
behave in a way that not only garners self-respect but one that
displays a level of respect for others. In this way they are blameless
and free of the shame that a lack of discipline brings on their family
and on their reputation. Students approach education not as a
necessity or mandated conscription but as a privilege, and cherish
their teachers (and indeed all elders and scholars) their efforts just
as they would a parent.
I hope you find that that my research exceeds your expectations. If
you have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
السلام عليكم
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
NOTES FOR PANEL DISCUSSION
http://www.peace.ca/TownHall4Notes2002.htm
ISLAM ON THE MULTI-RELIGIOUS SOCIETY
http://www.alrisala.org/Articles/tolerance/multirelg.htm
HOLY QURAN
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/006.qmt.html
SEARCH THE HOLY QURAN
http://www.jamals.com/islam.html
ON FAMILY RELATIONS
http://www.muhammadspeaks.com/FamilyRelations.html
RESPECTING TEACHERS
احترام المعلّمين
http://www.alminbar.com/khutbaheng/1055.htm
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
RESPECT TEACHERS IRAN
EMPHASIZE RESPECT TEACHERS IRAN
EMPHASIS RESPECT TEACHERS IRAN
PARENT TEACHER RESPECT IRAN
STUDENTS ADMIRE TEACHERS IRAN
IRANIAN TEACHERS RESPECT STUDENTS
ISLAM RESPECT TEACHERS
ISLAM MUTUAL RESPECT
QURAN MUTUAL RESPECT |
