India-Iran-Cultural Week
An exhibition of Persian Manuscripts and rare books inaugurated Thursday in New Delhi at Dr. Zakir Husain Library of Jamia Millia Islamia university as part of Iranian Cultural Week in India organised by the university.

Visiting Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei inaugurated the exhibition.

The exhibition displayed some important manuscripts in Persian.

There are also a number of Manuscripts on Hinduism in Persian language such as Mahabharata compiled in 1873, the transition of Upanishad and Bhagvad Geeta, Majma-ul-Bahrain, by Darashikoh (1615-1659).

Other notable works are the Kashful Mahjub of Abdul Hasan celebrates as the Dataganj-Baksh and the Awariful-Maa'rif by Syed Mohd Banda Nawaz Gisudraz.

The exhibition will remain open for 20 days.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed for the establishment of "Iran Technology Centre" at Jamia Millia University to share the knowledge of Iran's expertise in difference sectors, on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei said: "Mysticism, philosophy, mathematics and medical are some of the areas where India and Iran have been working and can work further to strengthen the bilateral ties."
Iranian Vice President said that holding of the cultural week of Iran in India would strengthen not only the solidarity and the cultural ties between two nations of India and Iran but also will help development of the tourism infrastructures in the two countries.

"Both the countries can play a meaningful role in the regional cooperation by working closely on issues which will bring peace and tranquility in the region", added Mashaei.

Speaking on the occasion, Musheerul Hasan, Vice Chancellor of the Jamia Millia University, while emphasising the need to further strengthen cultural ties between Iran and India, said that every country needs to send across a message of peace and brotherhood.

Recalling the centuries old historical and traditional ties between the two countries Vice Chancellor said that there is a need for enhanced cooperation and increased relations between the two countries.

He said Iran and India can work together in the field of conservation and research in Persian language.

Adding that by making contacts at higher level, both the countries can become good example for other countries in the field of friendly ties and cooperation.

Syed Mehdi Nabizadeh, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi, Dr. Karim Najafi, Cultural Counselor of the Islamic Republic of Iran at Iran Culture House in New Delhi, Abdul Hameed Ziaei, Director Iran Culture House in New Delhi and distinguished personalities were present on the occasion.

The week-long Iranian Cultural Week in India, began in New Delhi Wednesday.

The first four days of the Iranian cultural week in India would commence from April 30, 2008 in New Delhi and the remaining two days of the same will be held in the Western Indian city of Mumbai, the business capital of India.