TEHRAN – Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy tourism minister of cultural heritage and tourism, has called for the establishment of a union dedicated to Persian-speaking countries.

Speaking at a cultural event dedicated to Iran and Tajikistan on Friday, Darabi highlighted the importance of forming a “Union of Persian-speaking Countries.”

The official expressed hope for the establishment of this union, mentioning the deep shared linguistic and cultural roots between Persian-speaking nations and between Iran and Tajikistan in particular.

Addressing the cultural night, he acknowledged the various names given to Tajikistan, including a museum under the open sky full of ancient artifacts. Darabi quoted prominent Iranian writer Jamalzadeh, who believed that Iran and Tajikistan are relatives, along with many writers referring to Tajikistan as a part of [the Greater] Iran.

Underscoring the linguistic connection, Darabi traced the origins of the “Dari Persian” back to the regions of Khorasan and modern-day Tajikistan.

The official also noted significant historical figures such as Rudaki, the first Persian-language poet from modern-day Tajikistan, and the renowned polymath Avicenna, both hailing from the same land.

“Balkh, Dushanbe, Sarband, Kulob, and Khujand are loved cities that Iranian people are familiar with,” Darabi said.

Emphasizing the shared identity and historical depth between the two nations, the official stressed the duty to preserve the Persian language, popularly referred to as “Sugar Persian.” He argued that in an era of globalization, safeguarding one’s language becomes crucial against the dominance of dominating languages.

Darabi put forward the concept of “identity” as a prevalent theme among politicians, writers, and leaders in both Iran and Tajikistan. Moreover, he highlighted the need for revisiting and explaining concepts like “identity,” “roots,” “history,” “civilization,” and “cultural heritage” in the face of global changes and the emergence of a new generation.

“Some 730 elements have been registered on the list of intangible cultural heritage, of which 340 are located in Asia,” Darabi said.

“Of those elements, 133 represent our region [West and Central Asia] globally, serving as a testament to our identity,” he noted.

Pointing to the collaborative efforts between the two countries, Darabi expressed pride in their cultural contribution to the Eastern world. He cited statistics indicating Iran’s position among the top 10 countries globally in tangible cultural heritage and ranked 5th in intangible cultural heritage.

He mentioned that holding joint events in Iran and Tajikistan, such as the “Night of Cultural Heritage” we are witnessing tonight, is one of the cultural occurrences that can strengthen ties between the two countries.

Darabi attached great importance to launching special working groups between Iran and Tajikistan to preserve the heritage shared between the two nations.