Books and reading books should lead to behavior change and society reform

According to the reporter of Saba, the special ritual of the “Book, Reading and Librarian” day and the use of 34 mobile public library cars, on Sunday morning, November 24, 1405, with the presence of Masoud Mezikian; President, Seyyed Abbas Salehi; Azadeh Nazarbaland, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance; The General Secretary of Public Libraries of the country, members of the Board of Trustees of the institution, a group of governors, representatives of the Islamic Council and cultural officials were held in the central building of the Public Libraries of the country.
In this ritual, Massoud Bishidian, congratulating and honoring this occasion and appreciating the efforts of librarians, writers, publishers and activists in the field of books, said: Book week is a valuable opportunity to pay attention to the place of reading in individual and social life. I believe that in order to follow the right path and achieve dignity and pride, we must know what path others have taken, how they have encountered problems and how they have been able to overcome obstacles. This knowledge is obtained through studying and using the experiences recorded in books.
Referring to the Holy Qur’an’s emphasis on the course and study of the history of nations, he added: In the Holy Qur’an, man has been invited many times to move on the earth and reflect on the fate of the past. Because history and human experiences can be our guide in making decisions and facing issues. Even reading a few books or works during the week can help a person to see things better and find solutions to the problems he is facing.

Managers need reading more than others
Emphasizing the necessity of reading among managers and officials, the President stated: Every person should read a book according to his position. Managers should also study from a management point of view and know how to serve people and solve their problems. One cannot accept responsibility, but make decisions for society’s issues without recognizing past experiences and using knowledge and awareness.
The doctor continued: Today we have to ask ourselves why, despite all the capacities and assets of the country, we are still facing livelihood problems and various issues in people’s lives, and where are the problems. A person who accepts a responsibility does not have the right to waste his life and opportunity; Our responsibility is to solve people’s problems, and this will be difficult without knowing the paths that others have taken and the experiences that have been formed over generations.
Stating that the more human knowledge is from historical and social experiences, the possibility of making the right decision increases, he said: “The book helps us to overcome our mental limitations, see issues from different angles and make decisions based on knowledge and experience instead of relying on personal imagination and perception.”
The book is a window to know the world and overcome self-centeredness
Referring to the role of reading in expanding the intellectual horizon of a person, the medical doctor said: “The book takes the human mind to distant horizons and broadens his view of the world.” When we study about the sky, the earth, the galaxies and the greatness of the universe, we realize how small man is compared to this vast expanse. With such a view, the pride, self-conceit and ego of a person collapses and he understands better that he should not fight with each other over small issues.
Referring to the study of the Shahnameh and its moral and social teachings, he added: In the Shahnameh, one can also find valuable lessons about life, greed, greed, pride, selfishness and the consequences of human behavior. When we read the history of the past, we find out the status of those who lived with forgiveness, kindness and serving the people, and on the other hand, what was the fate of those who were caught by greed, pride and ego.
The President stated: These experiences are recorded in books so that future generations can learn from them. Studying helps people move away from self-centeredness, understand others better, and judge things with a more open view.
The book should lead to the modification of behavior and lifestyle
Emphasizing that the purpose of reading is not simply to increase information, he said: “Books are not just for reading; We should learn from it and apply what we have learned in our lives and behavior. A person may read books, but still lie, slander, insult others, and misbehave. Such a study comes to a conclusion when knowledge and awareness have an effect on human ethics, behavior and way of life.
Referring to the teachings of the Holy Quran and emphasizing the concepts of mercy, kindness and correction in this heavenly book, the doctor said: Even at the beginning of the Holy Quran, we encounter the name of God who is merciful and kind. Therefore, the person who moves in the path of religious teachings must be a person of kindness, forgiveness and mercy and distance himself from malice, hatred and selfishness.
Referring to the verse related to the mission of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the concepts of reciting verses, cultivating and teaching the book and wisdom, he added: The purpose of education and knowledge is to liberate man from ignorance and achieve knowledge and reform. Ignorance and decision-making without knowledge keeps people and society away from the path of dignity and pride. If we want to have an informed and proud society, we must refer to books and knowledge and apply what we have learned in practice.

Development of mobile libraries according to the needs of regions
In another part of his speech, the president emphasized the importance of developing the services of mobile libraries, pointing to the need to pay attention to the different needs of the audience in different regions of the country, and said: mobile libraries should provide services according to the conditions and needs of each region. The needs of children, youth and adults are not the same in different regions, and agricultural issues may be prioritized in one region and industrial and specialized issues in another region.

He added: According to the needs of each region, suitable books should be provided to the people so that they can use these resources to increase their knowledge and abilities. Some books are also general in nature and can be used by all groups of society; But along with them, the specific needs of the audience should also be taken into account.

Grateful to mobile library librarians who provide library services to children and families by being present in cities and villages, the doctors said: The efforts of those who move from city to city and village to village and sit with children, read books and provide them with experiences are very valuable. These activities can be effective in educating the next generation, increasing awareness and changing the attitude and behavior of children.

The book and the method of conveying the message is effective in attracting the interest of the new generation

Referring to the role of teachers, professors and the way of communicating with the audience in promoting science and study, he said: The type of messaging and the way of communicating with people is an art that should not be considered simple and unimportant. We have all had the experience of teachers whose teaching style made us interested in a subject and, on the other hand, teachers who lost our interest in the same subject because of the way they presented the material.

The President continued: “Sometimes a person wants to lead another person, but instead of providing the basis for recognition and choice, he orders him what to do.” In such a situation, the audience may take a position against it. The book provides the opportunity for a person to read, think, measure and come to a judgment. In this way, the change of attitude and behavior can start from within the person himself.
Emphasizing the need to pay attention to the attractiveness and quality of book presentation to the audience, he said: We must try to make books and the way they are presented in such a way that people, especially children and teenagers, become interested in reading and the book can find a real place in their lives.

Physicians’ advice to managers to read the book “Rising from Poverty”
In the final part of his speech, referring to the importance of using the experience of successful countries in the path of development, Medikian recommended managers and officials to read the book “Rise from Poverty” and said: Managers should read this book and check how countries facing poverty and economic problems have been able to travel the path of progress and reach a different position in the world in the space of a few decades.
He added: We should see what they did, what experiences they benefited from and how they were able to overcome their problems. We can also overcome existing difficulties and problems by relying on knowledge, awareness and right experiences. For this, we need knowledge and knowledge more than anything else.
Emphasizing that the country’s capacities allow it to move to higher positions, the president said: We must join hands to bring our country to a worthy position of honor and pride. This path requires awareness, learning, behavior modification and the use of valuable human experiences.
At the end, while expressing his gratitude to the librarians, writers, publishers and all the activists in the field of books and reading, the doctor expressed his hope that the book week will be an opportunity to improve behaviors, strengthen the culture of reading and take advantage of valuable experiences in the path of the growth and development of the society, and emphasized: Let’s not forget that we are for the people and we must serve the people.