TEHRAN – A dictionary containing facts about famous Iranian women from the pre-Islamic era to the Constitutional Movement (1905-1911) compiled by researcher and historian Mohammad-Hassan Rajabi Davani was introduced during a ceremony in Tehran on Saturday.

Entitled “The Biographical Dictionary of Famous Iranian and Persian-speaking Women from the Beginning to the Constitutional Movement”, the book has been published by Sorush Publications.

A number of scholars and researchers including Iranian Children’s Book Council director Nushafarin Ansari and cultural activist Ahmad Masjed-Jamei, who is also a member of the Tehran City Council, attended the ceremony held at the publisher.

“I am happy Mr. Davani has dedicated this book to his mother. This indicates the influence of this great lady on her family and her children. Davani has tried to give concise but correct information about Iranian and Persian-speaking Women to the readers,” she said.

Scholar Nurollah Moradi said that the dictionary reviews influential women from the beginning until the Constitutional Movement containing their activities in different arenas including philosophy, literature and music, however he hoped contemporary eras would be added to new editions of the book. 

Masjed-Jamei also said that he believes books, which are written about women in Iran, make an impression in other countries, especially in the West. 

“What others imagine about women in our society is quite different from what is written in these types of books. Actually these kinds of books help enlighten the world with more accurate information about Iran and Iranian women,” he added.

He also proposed that the writer conduct research about women after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. “Today women play major roles in research work, while book illustrations are mostly done by female artists,” he said.

Rajabi Davani also said that he learned to respect women and the position of women in the family from his father, and emphasized that he has plans to continue his research on women of the contemporary era.

RM/YAW