TEHRAN- Iran's Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) is set to host the Week of Asian Cultural Dialogues, focusing on the Persian language as a vital spiritual heritage, from October 4 to 9 in the cities of Neyshabur (Nishapur), Mashhad, and Tehran.

The event will feature 24 distinguished academic guests from 13 Asian countries, alongside over 30 representatives from Iranian universities, an official with the organization has said. 

The main goal is to establish an Asian Cooperation Forum focused on the Persian language, alongside organizing a secretariat in Nishapur to facilitate this initiative, Mohammad Ali Rabani explained on Monday. 

He highlighted the growing presence of Persian language departments in universities worldwide, where students are actively studying at multiple levels. Despite numerous challenges, these academic programs have continued to flourish, showcasing the resilience of the Persian language as a medium of cultural exchange.

Rabani identified a significant challenge in promoting the Persian language as the lack of consistent communication between Persian academic groups domestically and abroad. 

To address this, the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization acts as the nation's cultural diplomacy arm, striving to create a conducive environment for sustained international interactions among educational institutions, he noted. 

He emphasized the need to leverage academic capacity in the Persian language to strengthen regional ties within Asia.

The upcoming event will not only celebrate the Persian language but also aim to engage participants in substantial discussions regarding educational cooperation among Asian nations, he said and added: “These interactions will focus on practical measures needed to promote Persian language education and academic exchanges.”

Rabani mentioned a design that involves Iranian universities collaborating with foreign institutions to exchange faculty members, maximizing the resources available, particularly the Persian language doctoral students from local universities.

As part of the initiative, Ferdowsi University in Mashhad will also hold a seminar for conference invitees following the closing of discussions in Nishapur. On October 8, the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization in Tehran will host a significant conference titled "Functions of the Persian Language and Literature in Strengthening Cultural Ties in Asia," further emphasizing the relevance of Persian language promotion.

Rabani acknowledged the Persian language as Iran's greatest asset in international relations. He pointed out that this language enables meaningful involvement in various sectors, including economics, politics, and security. Additionally, he suggested that many perceptions of Iran worldwide are shaped by its literary masterpieces, such as the "Shahnameh" by Ferdowsi and Saadi’s "Golestan," meaning Iran must capitalize on this positive cultural representation.

He stressed that the responsibility of preserving and promoting the Persian language lies not only with the government but also with universities in Iran, which should integrate their efforts with cultural diplomacy to protect this significant cultural resource. By doing so, they can revive the functions that the Persian language historically served in creation, governance, and cultural advancement.

Another crucial aspect of the gathering will be discussions on the establishment of a permanent Asian Forum for Scientific and Cultural Cooperation, with a secretariat to be set up in Nishapur University. Rabani underscored the need to protect and revitalize Persian literary works in foreign libraries that risk being lost or forgotten.

Persian, also known as Farsi, is an ancient language spoken primarily in Iran, Afghanistan (as Dari), and Tajikistan (as Tajik), boasting a rich literary heritage that dates back over a millennium. 

SAB/