On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims), affiliated with the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Husayni Shirazi, may Allah prolong his life, issued the following statement:

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, corresponding to October 5, the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims) extends its sincerest congratulations, appreciation, and gratitude to all teachers around the world who bear the sacred mission of enlightening minds and shaping intellects.

We believe that teachers are the backbone of every society striving for peace, justice, and sustainable development. Without qualified and dedicated teachers, development goals cannot be achieved, nor can the principles of nonviolence, which form the foundation of our shared human civilization, be firmly established.

A teacher is not merely a transmitter of information, but a builder of generations, an anchor of moral values, and an inspirer of critical thinking—all of which are essential to counter extremism and ignorance.

Today, the International Nonviolence Organization raises its voice to highlight, in particular, the situation of teachers in developing countries and war-affected regions, where they face serious challenges that threaten their professional and personal stability, including:

• Low wages and poor living conditions, which drive qualified individuals to seek other professions and negatively affect the quality of education;
• Shortages of educational resources, which make it difficult to keep pace with global progress in modern teaching methods;
• Unsafe work environments, especially in areas afflicted by unrest or violence, where teachers’ safety is at risk.

Therefore, the International Nonviolence Organization calls upon governments, international organizations, and civil society to take immediate and concrete actions to provide teachers with the care and support they deserve. This can be achieved through:

• Allocating sufficient budgets to raise teachers’ salaries in developing countries and ensuring a fair and dignified standard of living;
• Investing in teachers’ professional training and continuous capacity-building, especially in areas related to peace education, human rights, and nonviolence;
• Providing safe and well-equipped educational environments worthy of teachers and conducive to the effective performance of their noble mission.

In conclusion, the International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims) reminds everyone that investing in teachers is an investment in a future free from violence and ignorance. Respect and appreciation for teachers are indicators of a nation’s progress and its awareness of the importance of education as the driving force for positive change and for building more just and peaceful societies.

International Nonviolence Organization (Free Muslims) – Washington