QOM The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammad Khatami, in separate messages Sunday paid tribute to Imam Musa Sadr and lauded his great services. The messages were read at a congress to commemorate Imam Musa Sadr held at Mofid University of Qom Sunday. The Supreme Leader said holding of the congress can be considered as an appropriate measure to appreciate part of the services rendered by this great thinker to Shia Muslims and Lebanon in over 20 years on social and political scenes of that country.

Praising Imam Musa Sadr's personality, the Leader said giving identity to Shia Muslims in Lebanon, promoting co-existence and mutual respect among followers of divine religions and political tribes in that country and his outspokenness in introducing the real nature of the Zionist regime and his affection to and respect for the late Imam Khomeini created an all-embracing personality in this great thinker.

The Leader's message was read by Hojjatoleslam Rasouli-Mahalati at the congress. Meanwhile, President Khatami termed Imam Musa Sadr as a great man that one should take lesson from his steadfastness and piety. In his message read by Mohammad Taqi Meibodi, Khatami added that Imam Musa Sadr showed that religion is capable of addressing various needs of humanity and that Shia seminaries have the potential to train persons able to administer society.

He expressed the hope that the congress would serve as a step to better familiarize with the ideas and outlooks of Imam Musa Sadr and all religious scholars that our history is indebted to their personalities and efforts. (IRNA)