Islamic Body Adds Khamenei Theories to Sadr Prize
The 2nd Sadr World Prize will include a special category on the innovative views and theories of martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Islam
The Islamic Culture and Relation Organization has added the innovative views and theories of martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei as a special category in the 2nd Sadr World Prize. Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour announced the category at a press conference held Saturday in Tehran.
Why it matters
The organization frames the move as a way to share the late leader's theories on an international stage, arguing that Martyr Sadr was a key innovator in contemporary Islamic thought. The organization says it is prepared to accelerate introducing these theories to the global community in the coming years.
The prize structure includes eight categories and two special sections, with the Youth category limited to scholars under the age of 40. Participating countries include Iraq, India, Pakistan, Bahrain, and Lebanon, though the source does not detail how many entries each country submitted.
The players
Islamic Culture and Relation Organization
An organization that runs the Sadr World Prize and promotes Islamic thought and cultural exchange internationally.
Hojat-ol-Islam Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour
A Shia cleric who announced the special category at the Tehran press conference.
The details
Specialized committees were established for each award category, with members ranging from university presidents to organizers of similar awards. Islamic seminaries for women are active participants, and a prominent female scholar was recognized at last year's event.
Timeline
December 21: submission deadline for the 2nd Sadr World Prize.
January 28: scheduled award ceremony for the 2nd Sadr World Prize.
Season Trajectory
The addition of a category devoted to a late Iranian leader's theories extends the Sadr World Prize, which previously centered on the thought of Martyr Sadr alone. The move signals the organization's effort to broaden the prize's international profile across the Shia world.
Scholars interested in entering must submit their work by December 21, and the youth category is open only to those under 40. The ceremony on January 28 is the next scheduled public milestone for the prize.
The takeaway
The 2nd Sadr World Prize shows how religious organizations are expanding awards to highlight specific thinkers, which may guide how readers track scholarly recognition in Islamic thought over the coming months.
What happens next
The award ceremony is scheduled for January 28, following the December 21 submission deadline.
Further reading
Explore more on Islam to see how Islamic scholarship and awards are shaping religious discussion worldwide.
Source note: This article includes information reported by خبرگزاری بین المللی قرآن (ایکنا).
