TEHRAN – A relative of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution has shed light on the personal library of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, describing it as a carefully organized collection personally arranged by the leader himself.

According to remarks by Hassan Khojasteh, the brother of the leader’s wife, the library was meticulously categorized and managed by Ayatollah Khamenei himself, Mehr reported. 

Khojasteh made the remarks in an interview recorded at the leader’s old residence in Tehran, where he described the unique characteristics of the private library.

The library reflected his extensive familiarity with a wide range of books, he noted. 

He said the library had a distinct level of order. “The books were carefully categorized. When someone needed a book, he would immediately say which shelf it was on,” Khojasteh explained, adding that the leader had complete mastery over the collection.

According to him, this familiarity stemmed from the fact that Ayatollah Khamenei personally arranged the books after they were moved from a previous location.

“When the books were brought in box by box, he himself arranged them or instructed where each should be placed. It became a large and well-organized library,” he said.

Khojasteh noted that the collection contained a wide variety of works, including novels, political literature, historical studies, religious seminary texts, as well as an extensive section dedicated to poetry and literature.

He also pointed to an interesting system for borrowing books from the library. In photographs of the collection, a red notebook can be seen which was used to record borrowed titles.

“Anyone who took a book was expected to write down the title in the notebook so it could be returned later,” he said, noting that since the notebook was mainly used by family members, it could contain interesting notes if rediscovered.

Khojasteh also recalled personally benefiting from the library during his postgraduate studies.

“For example, when I was searching for sources for my master’s thesis, including the historical works of Kasravi on Hoveyzeh, he told me he had them. I made great use of those books for my research,” he said.

On February 28, a tragic and shocking event unfolded as Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was martyred in a coordinated attack by Israel and the United States. The strike targeted his office in central Tehran. His martyrdom has not only sent shockwaves throughout Iran but has resonated deeply across the broader Muslim world, igniting waves of grief and outrage.

Ayatollah Khamenei was not just a political leader known for his influence on regional and global affairs; he was also a figure of cultural significance. For many Iranians, his contributions extended far beyond the realm of politics. He possessed a remarkable affinity for culture, literature, and intellectual discourse, which he championed throughout his life. His speeches often reflected his passion for books and poetry, emphasizing the importance of the life of the mind in shaping society and nurturing the spirit.

In his public addresses, Ayatollah Khamenei frequently invoked the works of great poets and thinkers, illustrating how literature could serve as a powerful tool for resistance and reflection. His love for Persian poetry resonated with many, fostering a sense of national pride and cultural identity. As a scholar and thinker, he believed that engaging with ideas and art was crucial for the moral and intellectual development of the nation.

SAB/