Art & Culture SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 3 This Day in History (September 28) Iran Opens Chamber of This Day in History (September 28) Today is Sunday; 6th of the Iranian month of Mehr 1393 solar hijri; corresponding to 3rd of the Islamic month of Zil-Hijjah 1435 lunar hijri; and September 28, 2014, of the Christian Gregorian Calendar. 1398 solar years ago, on this day in 616 AD, Javanshir Arranshah, the king of the Iranian Culture in Tajikistan land of Arran in what is today the Caucasus Republic of Azerbaijan was born in the Gardman region of Armenia. He reigned from 637 to 680 and was either of Parthian or Persian origin, The chamber was inaugurated at in cultural, scientific and artistic as his family, the Mihranids, claimed descent from the Sassanid Persians. He was placed on the request of the university and fields and achieve the status they the throne by the Sassanid Emperor in place of his father, Varaz Grigor, who had converted to with the cooperation of Moham- deserve.” Christianity from Zoroastrianism. Javanshir, who also converted secretly to Christianity, sided mad-Hassan Sanati, Iranian cultural He added the chambers future ac- with the Sassanid Dynasty during the Arab invasion of Persia and was personally rewarded by Emperor Yazdegerd III two golden spears, two golden shields and a flag, probably the Derafsh attaché to the country. tivities will mainly aim to accelerate Kaviani. In 636, he and his forces, alongside the Armenian prince Musel III Mamikonian, took Iranian cultural attaché Moham- the country’s scientific progress. part in the famous Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in Iraq between the Persian and Arab armies. The mad Hassan Sanati, a number of “To achieve this, we have expand- Sassanid defeat made Javanshir lose hope and he fled to his kingdom, from where he wrote a the university’s officials as well as ed our relation and cooperation with letter to Emperor Constans II and became ally of the Byzantine Empire. After his alliance with the Byzantines, he joined forces with the Iberian king Adarnase I to attack garrisons of the de- its Persian language professors and the country’s scientific centers in- clining Sassanid Empire in the Caucasus, expanding his dominion from Derbend in Daghestan students attended the inaugural cer- cluding Tajik Academy of Sciences to Aras River on what is today Iran’s northwestern border. Soon, faced with the advancing emony. will do our best to share our experi- armies of the Muslims from the south and the Khazar offensive on the north, Javanshir recog- After the ceremony was per- ences with Tajikistan.” nized the suzerainty of the caliph, a move that facilitated the spread of Islam in his homeland. formed, Sanati held a number of Also, in his meeting with the Javanshir was assassinated in 680 at the age of 64. 1073 lunar years ago, on this day in 362 AH, the prominent Iranian Islamic genius, Abu Ray- meetings with one of the university Persian language students of the han Mohammad ibn Ahmad al-Birouni, was born in Kath, the capital of Khwarezm in Central officials, professors and students. university, Sanati said, “May- Asia. His first 25 years were spent in his homeland where he studied jurisprudence, theology, Speaking in the meeting with the be you are surprised to see that grammar, mathematics, astronomy, medics and other sciences. Regarded as one of the greatest Tajik official of the university, he a foreigner knows all your cus- scholars of the medieval Islamic era, he was well versed in mathematics, astronomy, physical and natural sciences, and also distinguished himself as a geographer, historian, chronologist said, “In Tajikistan, I feel as if I am toms and speaks your language. and linguist. While in Mazandaran at the Ziyarid court, he wrote his first important work “al- in my own country. Tajikistan has Iran is the only country whose Asaar al-Baqiyya an al-Qoroun al-Khaliyya” which is a “Chronology of Ancient nations and Iran opens Chamber of Culture in Tajikistan well preserved the culture of our people speak Farsi. Of course, Vestiges of the Past”. With the conquest of the region by Mahmoud Ghaznavi he became court ancestors. Iran will help the coun- Afghanistan also, to some ex- astrologer and accompanied the Turkish Sultan on his invasions of India, where he lived for DUSHANBE (ICRO) - Sponsored Chamber of Culture opened at Nasir try, which has a rich culture, and its tent, shares commonalities with several years and became acquainted with all things related to that land. He learned Sanskrit by Iranian cultural office, Iran’s Khosro University in Tajikistan. and wrote the famous Arabic book “Kitab Tahqiq ma li’l-Hind”,which is a highly analytical intellectual people make progress Tajikistan in terms of language.” work. Of the more than hundred books and treatises known to have been written by him, some 65 percent are devoted to astronomy, mathematics, and related subjects like geography and geology. Birouni also devised his own method of determining the radius of the earth by means of observation of the height of a mountain which he carried it out at Nandana in India. He states ECI Commemorates Molana in his writings (several centuries before Copernicus and Galileo) that the earth is round and spherical. In mineralogy, this great Iranian Muslim genius, who was a follower of the Prophet’s TEHRAN (ECIECO) - The ECO Cultural Institute hosted the inaugural ceremony of the Kish Mehr festival. Ahl al-Bayt, succeeded in determining the specific density of many metals and minerals with To mark the birth anniversary of Molana Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Rumi, exquisite collection of forty artworks from renowned masters such as Moham- remarkable precision. Almost all his works were written in Arabic except for “Kitab at-Taf- mad salahshour, Esrafil Shirchi, Amir Ahmad Falsafi, Babak Borzouyeh, Mohammad Heidari and Morteza Khalaj in the fields of calligraphy, painting him”, in Persian, and in which he has scientifically proven the movement of the earth around and photography were showcased in the ceremony. the sun and the force of gravity. He died in Ghazni at the age of 78. 915 lunar years ago, on this day in 520 AH, on this day in 520 AH, one of the prominent Persian Referring to the regional character of Rumi, Iftikhar Husain Arif, the President of the ECO Cultural Institute stated: “Molana was born in Afghanistan, poets, Khaqani Shirvani, was born in the northwestern Iranian region of Shirvan, which is now buried in Turkey and was a master of Persian poetry.” in the Republic of Azerbaijan. He is considered amongst the great classical poets of Iran and He added: “Rumi is well-known in the Subcontinent where every family interested in literature, holds a volume of Masnavi.” composed different styles of poems. The na’at, a poem which he wrote in praise of Prophet Further, he expressed satisfaction with the event and said: “It is remarkable that most of the audiences of the festival are the young generation, young Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) at a time when his literary talent people who seek peace and harmony over the world.” or the Hassaan of (مجعلا ناسح ”had reached its peak, procured him the title “Hassaan al-Ajam Persia – a reference to Hassaan ibn Sabet, the famous Arabic poet who composed panegyrics Describing the features of the exhibited artworks, Mohammad Heidari, the great Iranian calligraphy master, his works were on display in the event, in praise of the Prophet. In 551 AH, he went on Hajj pilgrimage and described the spiritual said: “these works depict Molana’s verses and the Iranian calligrapher owe to such figures.” atmosphere of the holy city of Mecca and the rituals through composing beautiful odes. On his He expressed satisfaction in cooperation with the ECO Cultural Institute and added: “It is a pleasure to see that today the younger generation shows return he stayed in Iraq and met Iraqi scholars. His travels gave him material for his famous ver- much interest in arts.” sified book entitled “Tohfat ol-Iraqain” or “A Gift of the Two Iraqs”, that is, ‘Persian Iraq’ and ‘Arab Iraq’. He also wrote the famous ode “Aiwan-e Mada’en” or The Portals of Ctesiphon, Live traditional music performance thrilled the event, warmly received by the audience. beautifully depicting his impressions of the remains of the Sassanid Palace near Baghdad. His collection of poems contains 18,000 couplets. In the later days of his life he turned into a recluse after the tragic death of his children and wife. He passed away in Tabriz in 595 AH. University Books Publisher Releases Books in Russian, Chinese 776 solar years ago, on this day in 1238 AD, the Muslim emirate of Valencia in Spain was TEHRAN (IBNA) -The Iranian Or- Composing Textbooks on Humanities, translated into Russian and released Fekri went on to say: “Moreover, forced to surrender to the besieging King James I of Aragon, on certain conditions that were ganization of Research and Composing Mas’oud Fekri (PhD) stated that two in the Russian language countries. in cooperation with the Cultural never kept by the Christians who persecuted Muslims and converted mosques into churches, beside expelling over 50,000 of the people of this land, which for five hundred years had nur- Textbooks on Humanities (SAMT) an- other books have also been published We have also signed an agreement Attaché of the Iranian Embassy in tured many great Islamic scholars and poets. Known as “Balansia” to Muslims and also called nounced the publication and release of its to be taught in the universities of India. with the Islamic Studies Foundation China, we translated and published “Madinat-at-Turab” (or City of Sands), its keys were delivered to King James by the Muslim three new books in Russian and Chinese. “Two books, ‘Introduction to the in Russian Federation to translate and the book ‘The Iranian Archaeology king, Zayan, with the words: “In the city of Valencia live Muslims, the nobles of my people, The deputy of international affairs Sciences of the Quran’ and ‘Money publish five books already released and Arts in 1000 B.C. which has al- along with Christians and Jews. I hope you continue to govern in the same harmony, all work- ing and living together in this noble land. Here, during my reign, Easter processions went out in the Organization of Research and in the Islamic Economy’ have been by SAMT in Persian,” he said. ready been released in Russia Too.’ and Christians professed their religion freely, as our Qur’an recognizes Christ and the Virgin. I hope you bestow the same treatment to the Muslims of Valencia.” Poets such as Ibn al-Abbar and Ibn Amira, have mourned their exile from this beloved Islamic city in their poems. The Christians broke their promise and gradually obliterated all traces of ‘Iran Zamin’ Orchestra of Children to Feature Shahnameh Islam and Muslims. TEHRAN (MNA) – Iran will chestra. and tells hero tales of ancient Per- Firdausi was born in Iran in 935 503 lunar years ago, on this day in 932 AH, Budapest the capital of Hungary surrendered to the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent who inflicted host children orchestra of ‘Iran Sudabeh Salem directs the orches- sia. The contents and the poet’s AD. He devoted most of his life to a crushing defeat on the Hungarians in the famous Battle of Mohacs. Till 1718 Hungary or Zamin’ who will perform a concert of tra and says the concert will be per- style in describing the events takes his great epic Shahnameh (The Epic “Majaristan” as it was called by the Turks was a province of the Ottoman Empire. Although ‘Shahnameh’ tales on October 9-10. formed on Universal Children’s Week the readers back to the ancient times of Kings) which is the world’s lon- Islam in Hungary has a long history that dates back to at least the twelfth century, predating Firdausi’s Shahnameh (Epic of in remembrance of war children. and make them sense and feel the gest epic poetry created by a single the Ottoman Empire, following the end of Turkish rule, Muslims were persecuted and either Kings) will be performed with 120 Shahnameh, Persian for Epic of events. Firdausi worked for thirty poet, and the national epic of Iran expelled or forced to become Christians. Today only a few thousand Muslims live in Hungary. 476 solar years ago, on this day in 1538 AD, during the Ottoman–Venetian War, the Turkish children in 3 acts by Iran Zamin Or- Kings, was composed by Firdausi years to finish this masterpiece. and the Persian speaking world. navy scored a decisive victory over a so-called Holy League fleet assembled by the Christian powers in the Battle of Preveza in the Mediterranean Sea. 221 solar years ago, on this day in 1793 AD, Mubarak od-Dowla, the Nawab Nazem of Bengal, Love for Prophet Bihar, and Orissa, died after a reign of 23 years, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Babr Jang, Wazir od-Dowla. He belonged to the Persianate Najafi Seyyed family that started with Muhamamd Mir Ja’far Ali Khan, who was installed as ruler in 1757 after the decisive Battle of Plassey, for betraying his suzerain, Nawab Siraj od-Dowla of the dynasty of Iranian origin. Displayed in New York 176 solar years ago, on this day in 1838 AD, Akbar Shah II, the titular emperor of the once great Mughal Empire died and was succeeded on the throne of Dehli by his son, Muhammad Baha- NEW RORK (ABNA) - ‘Ask-i dur Shah II Zafar. In 1857, the curtain came down on the empire founded by the Central Asian adventurer, Zaheer od-Din Babar in 1525, as Bahadur Shah Zafar, in whose name the people Nebi, Love of the Prophet,’ an ex- of northern India rose against the British, was dethroned, humiliated and exiled in 1858 by the hibition presenting works of art colonialists to Yangon (Rangoon) in Burma, where he died in 1862. Zafar, an accomplished inspired by Muslims’ love for the poet in both Urdu and Persian, was a great patron of Urdu poets. Prophet Mohammed, has been 123 solar years ago, on this day in 1891 AD, the American author, Herman Melville, died at opened to New York. the age of 72. He was a sailor by profession, and when his ship sunk in one of his voyages, he was marooned on one of the islands inhabited by primitive people. Melville wrote about this Turkish President Recep Tayy- adventure and his escape from what he alleges cannibals in a book titled “Typee” which made ip Erdogan, who is in New York him famous. His most important novel is “Moby-Dick”. for the United Nations General 119 solar years ago, on this day in 1895 AD, the French physician and chemist, Louis Pasteur, Assembly, opened the exhibition died at the age of 73. He presented new theories on contagious diseases such as rabies, and made major discoveries in this field. His innovative methods in treatment of infectious ailments that was brought from Istanbul and identification of microbes revolutionized the principles of hygiene. He created and tested last Sunday. The exhibition was vaccines for diphtheria, cholera, yellow fever, plague, rabies, anthrax, and tuberculosis. first opened in Istanbul for the 44 solar years ago, on this day in 1970 AD, Egyptian president, Jamal Abdun-Nasser, died birthday of the Prophet in April. at the age of 54. He participated in the first war imposed by the illegal Zionist entity on Arab Composed of unique examples states in 1948. In 1952, he along with General Mohammad Najib staged a coup against King Farouq to end the monarchy and two years later after ousting Najib, he became president. He of calligraphy and ornamentation, was a staunch anti-colonialist and in 1956 he nationalized Suez Canal, a measure that prompted the exhibition was presented in Is- France, Britain and the Zionist entity to attack Egypt. In the 1967 war against the usurper state tanbul’s Topkapi Palace and Ha- of Israel, he suffered a shattering defeat and lost the Sinai Peninsula, mainly because of his mis- gia Sophia for the memory of the calculation in committing as many as 70,000 Egyptian troops to the civil war in Yemen, when the greatest enemies of Arabs and Muslims were the Zionists and their godfathers in the West. Prophet’s 1,443rd birthday. 18 solar years ago, on this day in 1996 AD, The UN Security Council issued a resolution, In New York, the exhibition - calling for an end to excavation of a tunnel underneath the courtyard of the al-Aqsa Mosque which is organized by TIKA in by the illegal Zionist entity. The US, however, lobbied for removal of this clause from the res- collaboration with Yildiz Holding olution. The excavation at al-Aqsa triggered bloody confrontations between the Zionist regime - can be visited in Turkish House. forces and Palestinians, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds of Palestinians and wounding of thousands. Israel, because of US support, continues its excavations in the surroundings of Along with President Erdogan, this sacred mosque. Turkish Republic of Northern 14 solar years ago, on this day in 2000 AD, the al-Aqsa Intefadha of the Palestinian people Cyprus President Dervis Eroglu, started following the desecration of this sacred mosque by Ariel Sharon, the ringleader of the Turkey’s Anbssador in DC Serdar Likud party and the mass murderer of Palestinians in the Sabraa and Shatila Camps. The people of Palestine continue their steadfastness against the usurper Israeli regime, while Sharon died Kilic, Turkish Ambassador to the earlier this year after lying in a state of coma, having lost all senses, which is a sign of divine UN Halit Cevik and Turkey’s wrath that struck him. Consul General in New York Er- Holy Defense Museum – Tehran- Iran. (Courtesy: IRIB English Radio – http://english.irib.ir) tan Yalcin attended the opening. Courtesy: iranhdm