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questioning of a scholar about his studies can in reality only be conducted and assessed by other scholars for what is at question is the individual understanding and reasoning in specialist subjects. Although a speaker engaged to recite a Majlis is not subject to the mandatory criteria it would seem to be a good thing to take extra care in the selection of someone who is to occupy such an influential position.
It might be said that things are alright as they are and should continue but Ayatullah Mohammed Yazdi in his research document entitled Azadari states, "On the basis of accurate calculations we have made, 87% of the convenors, 75% of the audience and 20% of the speakers have deviated from the real objectives of Azadari and are not aware of its true ideals and purpose." His report is specifically about Muharram Majalis but I would suspect that they are equally applicable to other important dates in the calendar and indicative of lectures in general. The implication of his figures is that the general popularity of a speaker with the audience and the frequency of being booked to speak are unreliable guides to the worth of a speaker. The fact that one in five speakers fail to fulfil their duties properly confirms that something needs to be corrected in the selection process. I can think of no situation where such a rate of sub-standard or misguided effort should be tolerated.
When the duties and precautions attached to the process of appointing speakers are implemented all those attending public lectures can have confidence that whatever they hear is the result of genuine research and knowledge, whether the listeners agree or disagree with what is said. This co-operation in achieving the confidence of the listeners is of fundamental importance in maintaining the Minbar as a high chair of teaching and respect. Not a place of dispute and entertainment for those who love base amusement.
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