Iranology Hall inaugurated at JMI by ViceChancellor,Prof. Mazhar Asif and H.E. Dr. Iraj Elahi, Ambassador of Iran to India New Delhi, on May 30, 2025
Iranology Hall inaugurated at JMI by ViceChancellor,Prof. Mazhar Asif and H.E. Dr. Iraj Elahi, Ambassador of Iran to India New Delhi, on May 30, 2025
The inauguration of the newly renovated Iranology Hall by the Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Prof. Mazhar Asif and H.E.Dr. Iraj Elahi, the Ambassador of Iran to India, at the Mohibbul Hasan Block of the JMI yesterday, marked a new chapter in the long-standing cultural and academic exchange between JMI and the Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi, which carried out the renovation of the hall. The Department of Persian, JMI organized the much-awaited opening ceremony, which was also graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. Fariduddin Farid Asr, Cultural Counselor, Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi; Prof. Abuzar Khairi, Officiating Registrar, JMI; Prof. Iqtedar Mohammad Khan, Dean Faculty of Humanities and Languages, JMI, Prof Saima Saeed, Foreign Students’ Advisor, JMI, among other invited guests and dignitaries.
Students, PhD scholars, Persian language experts, Heads of Departments, and Deans attended the inaugural ceremony and visited the hall, which was decorated with Iranian artifacts, wall exhibits, portraits, and display posters on historical and cultural facts from Iran.
The program began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Dr. Yasir Abbas. Dr.Mohsin Ali, faculty member, JMI, conducted the event and introduced the speakers. In his welcome address, Prof. Iqtedar Mohammad Khan expressed his appreciation of the efforts of the Iranian Embassy in preserving the language, history and culture of their country. He further added that Indo-Iranian relations date back to antiquity and have been cordial throughout history. The Iranian Embassy has always generously donated to Jamia in the past and hopes that it will continue in the years to come, he said.
Prof. Khairi, Officiating Registrar, JMI, shed light on the glorious history of Indo-Iran relations, stating that the renovation work done by the Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran will add a great deal of significance and meaning to the Indo-Iran relations and its study at JMI. “Our relationship with Iran and the teaching of Persian has been further strengthened under the leadership of our VC, Prof. Asif,” he said
Dr. Faridudddin Farid Asr, Cultural Counselor, Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran provided an overview of the renovation project, detailing the improvements made to the Iranology Hall. This included adorning the hall with paintings, calligraphy, and handicrafts of Iran showcasing Iran’s rich literary, cultural, and art heritage. He conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the VC, JMI, Prof. Mazhar Asif for his unwavering support throughout the renovation project.
H.E. Iraj Elahi, the Ambassador of Iran to India, spoke eloquently about the rich historical and cultural ties between India and Iran, emphasizing the enduring relevance of Iranian studies in promoting cross-cultural understanding and dialogue. He lauded JMI’s positive approach, support, and interest in renovating the Iranology Hall, recognizing it as a vital step towards strengthening academic collaboration and cultural exchange.
In his presidential remarks, Prof. Asif, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, highlighted the university's commitment to fostering diverse academic disciplines and emphasized the importance of Iranology in understanding global civilizations. In addition to thanking the Iran Cultural House for their generous contributions towards the Hall renovation project, Prof. Asif expressed his hope that a similar initiative of instituting a dedicated space be carried out for each and every foreign language taught at JMI. Prof. Asif said that a specialized hall like the one being inaugurated today was needed for each foreign language so that students may gain an understanding of the language and culture they have chosen to study.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Kalim Asghar, Head, Dept. of Persian, Jamia Millia Islamia, who expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of Iran, the Culture House of the Islamic Republic of Iran, all dignitaries, participants, the renovation team, and the university administration for their untiring support and efforts in making the renovation and inauguration a grand success.
With its state-of-the-art facilities for students, scholars, and the wider community, the new Iranology Hall is expected to improve JMI’s academic infrastructure for the study of Iranian history, language, literature, and civilization.
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