Meeting and Dialogue Between Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Reza Hatampouri Kermani, Representative of the Communications Department of the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of Iran, and the Mishkat Institute for Islamic Studies in Sri Lanka

On Wednesday, 26 August 2026 (4 Shahrivar 1405), Hojjat al-Islam Mohammad Reza Hatampouri Kermani, Representative of the Communications Department of the Office of the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Mr Ali Kebriaei Zadeh, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sri Lanka, met with the directors of the Mishkat Institute for Islamic Studies in Sri Lanka.At the beginning of the meeting, the officials of the Institute warmly welcomed the Iranian delegation and introduced Mishkat's objectives, approaches, and major academic, research, and educational activities. They emphasized the importance of developing academic and intellectual relations with cultural, academic, and research institutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran.The directors of the Institute also expressed their hope that the Cultural Counsellorship of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran could participate as one of the organizing partners of the Institute's conference planned for next year, which will focus on the subject of Waqf (Islamic endowment).Hojjat al-Islam Hatampouri Kermani reviewed a number of the Institute's publications and research works and commended its academic activities. He then introduced some of the religious, academic, and research resources and initiatives undertaken in Iran on a range of Islamic subjects, including social issues and Islamic economics. Emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation and interaction, he stated that there is readiness to pursue joint translation and publication of works and scholarly writings by Iranian thinkers and researchers.Mr Ali Kebriaei Zadeh also praised the academic and research activities of the Mishkat Institute. He noted that Islamic studies and scholarly research on Islam constitute an important first step towards developing a deeper understanding of Islam and introduced some of Iran's capacities and institutions in this field. He emphasized the need for sustained interaction between Iranian and Sri Lankan professors and researchers in order to facilitate dialogue, intellectual exchange, and joint reflection on various Islamic subjects.The meeting was held in a warm and constructive atmosphere. Both sides, while emphasizing their shared cultural and academic interests, stressed the importance of maintaining bilateral communication and dialogue and making greater use of the capacities of academic and research institutions in both countries to strengthen scholarly and intellectual cooperation.Background NoteThe Mishkat Institute for Islamic Studies is an Islamic academic and research institution in Sri Lanka established with the aim of contributing to the development of a knowledgeable, peaceful, and socially conscious Muslim community in the country. Its activities encompass research, education, dialogue, and the publication of scholarly works.The Institute was established in 2017 by Professor M. A. M. Mansoor and has organized conferences, symposiums, and academic discussions addressing issues related to Sri Lankan Muslim society, the reform of Islamic thought, family law, social issues, and Islamic intellectual thought.