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Iranology Seminar On Tourism, Health, Science & Technology

This event was organized by the Cultural Consulate of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Uganda and attracted tour and travel operators from Uganda and Islamic Republic of Iran, representatives from the government of Uganda including the Minister for Kampala metropolitan affairs, the commissioner of Gender and family affairs from the ministry of Gender, Labour and social development, Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Uganda National Cultural Centre, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kampala city traders Association, Parliament of Uganda, Uganda Tourism Board, Homeland Media Group, New vision Group ,Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Film Club Uganda ,African Visual Artists Association, Kampala Film Development Foundation, I Profile Foundation, union of Islamic Societies, universities among others

Sheikh Musa Sowedi Muganza opened the event with Quran recitation

Prof. Adam Sebyala said that it is only Islamic Republic of Iran that has survived economic sanctions and state terrorism from western administrations because of religious and republic governance; an Islamic system.

Iran is an island of peace and stability regardless of its neighbors in the middle east due to its unallied policy of neither to the west nor to the East which has kept it far away from its enemies who want to rule the world.

He said that when you go back to the Islamic culture, it’s only the Iranians who singlehandedly contributed to the Islamic civilization such as preserving the famous authentic books of Sahih Bukhari, Tirmidh, Nasae, Sahih Muslim, among others. They also wrote books that were destroyed by Mongolians in the house of wisdom and it was evidenced by water turning to the color of ink.

In science and technology, Iranians have progressed successively in the field of engineering, medicine, information and technology. Iran receives students from all over the world including Uganda.

H.E Mehdi Salehi, Iranian ambassador to Uganda

H.E Mehdi Salehi, Iranian ambassador to Uganda welcomed invited guests and appreciated the Cultural Consular for organizing the wonderful seminar on tourism, health, education, science and technology for the first time.

He appreciated the Minister for Kampala and metropolitan affairs for accepting the invitation to the beautiful ceremony on tourism and cultural heritage. He informed participants about the medical tourism in Iran and historical sites that speaks thousand words about the civilization of Iran.

He appreciated the government of the republic of Uganda for establishing peace and stability which enables a working environment for all visaviz its nature and excellent climate.

Hon. Naumo Juliana, the commissioner for Gender and Culture from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and social Development

Hon. Naumo Juliana, the commissioner for Gender and Culture from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and social Development brought greetings from the cabinet minister for Gender, Labour and social development.

As the ministry, they were happy to be part of the event whose aim was to strengthen and promote bilateral culture relations as well as promoting dialogue between Uganda and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

She said that as the ministry, they are proud of the close working relations they have shared with the Islamic Republic of Iran and are hopeful that it will go along way to contribute to national cohesion including the cultural exchange programs, scholarships where many Ugandans have benefited from, support in the area of health, agriculture, trade and investment, science, tourism and technology.

requested if the Islamic Republic of Iran can send experts and doctors in the field of cancer for two weeks and treat Ugandans.

She rallied Ugandans if they can put family at the center of everything by observing cultural values as the Iranian ambassador highlighted in his presentation.

They have organized joint cultural events such as Iranian film festivals, World Culture day, art and culture festivals with different Cultural kingdoms, Institutions, Ugandan artists and experts focusing on inner and spiritual development such as the East African Jamafest.

Iran has also benefited anomalously in different aspects of life which we need to learn from and work together as good friends.

She said that the role of art is to create a relationship between mankind and almighty God through spiritual development.

As the ministry, commit with the Islamic republic of Iran in exchanging experts and professionals to better humanity.

‘’From the action point of the honourable minister for Gender, it was proposed that an invite be sent to the head of the Islamic Cultural Relations organization in the Islamic Republic of Iran as the Iranian minister in charge of culture in the current cabinet’’, she added

She was happy to inform the Iranian ambassador to Uganda that through the ministry of Foreign affairs, they recently sent the two invitations and hoped that their visit to Uganda will open enormous doors for culture to further flourish between the two countries. She humbly requested through the cultural consulate of the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Uganda to follow up in order to expedite the process in Tehran.

The commissioner requested for business to business meeting with Iranian tourist operators, private sector professionals, medical doctors among others to come to Uganda and share more of the opportunities in Islamic Republic of Iran and Uganda which will be followed through the cultural consulate of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian embassy in Uganda.

She then took the opportunity to thank the Embassy for inviting them to be part of the seminar and they look forward to further working relations.

Miss Mahnazi Shirazi from Iran Markaz International Tour Operators shared their exemplary work through their agency which has more than 2,000 operators.

While speaking via video conference from Tehran, Iran, Miss Mahnazi Shirazi, the represented Mr. Yaghoub Ghasemi, the President of Iran Markaz International Tour Operator said that they work on both Inbound and out bound tours, planning, organizing and operating leisure, business, Exhibition, Seminar and travel packages schedule & charter flights, Medical tourism, Admission of students in the Universities in Iran.

She said that they are ready to work with Ugandan counterparts to have a chartered plane direct from Islamic Republic of Iran to Uganda to take business people, tourists and other visitors visiting both countries once in a week at relatively cheaper prices

depending on the number of people traveling periodically.

While appearing on conference call, Dr. Hossein Shirazi, from Ishraq Study Institute which is an institute for international and scientific interaction. It also facilitates academic cooperation between Iran and other country's universities. Ishraq Study helps applicants who plan to study in Iran; regarding their scientific and financial condition.

Hon. Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala capital city and metropolitan affairs was delighted to attend the seminar that focused at sharing ideas, information, knowledge for creativity and innovativeness in the fields of culture, tourism, education, health, science and technology and other relevant areas.

She was grateful to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the government of the Republic of Uganda which through the cordial relations between the two countries that agreed to establish cultural relations for joint cooperation in the aforementioned disciplines.

She asked to be involved in all Iranian events and programs so that they also work on the issues of Kampala city that need the experience and expertise of the Iranian people who are well developed in all fields.

She requested for exchange programs including skilling programs, urban to urban meetings and seminars, educational and science conferences.

As Government, they have plans to better the lives of people through sustainable use of the natural resources and working with partners like Islamic Republic of Iran in unlocking culture, education, art, science and technology for socioeconomic transformation of Ugandans society from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country.

As the government, they are committed to achieve the aim of the NDP III, of increasing household incomes and improving the quality of life of Ugandans through sustainable industrialization for inclusive growth, employment and sustainable wealth creation.

The government of Uganda has prioritized sustainable industrialization in order to increase the country’s resilience, transform the lives of the country’s regional and international competitiveness, through sustainable utilization of natural resources.

She therefore, encouraged all participants to embrace the ideas, information, knowledge and innovativeness they acquired from the seminar to explore more opportunities from Iran in order to unlock Uganda’s potential in culture, tourism, education, health, art, science and technology fields to significantly contribute to the achievements of the goal and aims of NRM Manifesto 2021 – 2026 for socioeconomic transformation.

She said that this kind of event can be used as a mean to attract investment from the Islamic Republic of Iran since Uganda is greatly endowed with a lot of natural resources.

She thanked the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran for organizing such an important event and she requested for an appointment to discuss urban development for future cooperation and affirmative action.

Hon. Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala capital city and metropolitan affairs

On speaking, Dr. Rouhollah Dehghani, The Rector of Al-Mustafa Islamic College appreciated organizers and invited guests to the Iranology. He informed participants about available education scholarships at Al-Mustafa Islamic College Kajjansi which are fully sponsored by the Iranian government and therefore he called upon those interested to go and seek for admission at the college headquarters along Entebbe Road.

At the end of the program, UBC TV interviewed Mr. Abdollah Abbasi, the acting Iranian Cultural Consular who explained the aim of Iranology seminar on tourism, health, science & technology which interested cultural and tour service providers, Government officials among others to share experience and expertise from both countries.

The Minister for Kampala metropolitan affairs, The Gender and Culture commissioner from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development were also interviewed by the television.

This event was published in the New Vision paper, SunRise paper, Ugabuzz, Da Parrot and also on UBC TV.