IRAN MIRROR Mbassy of I.R.I Embassy of Cultural Council IRAN MIRROR MAY 2019 Nairobi-Kenya ORIAL TEAM Athman Farsi Mr
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IRAN AT A GLANCE MIRRORPUBLICATION OF THE CULTURAL COUNCIL OF THE EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN, NAIROBI-KENYA MAY 2019 | ISSUE NO. 8 We wish all Muslims in Kenya and the World Ramadhan Kareem and Eid Mubarak! Profile he Cultural Council of the Embassy of the Islamic Contents Republic of Iran, Nairobi promotes mutual understanding and cultural co-operation among T Editorial...................................................................................4 people of Kenya and Iran in line with the principles of the cultural agreement between Iran and Kenya. The Cultural Council aims to create enduring partnership Ramadhan an opportunity to unleash the soul from the between Iran and other cultures and we do this by creating opportunities to connect with the latest skills, ideas and material world: Imam Khamenei ..................................... 5 experience from Iran. Activities Ramadhan in Iran ................................................................ 8 Library: The Cultural Council has a very rich library consisting Iran’s respect for Religious diversity ............................ 14 of myriad of books in the field of Persian language and literature. Besides, books on human sciences, history The key to success of the Iranian Heath care system ..19 of Iran, Islamic studies, world history, religion, Islamic philosophy, a large number of books on social sciences, Al-Quds day - Rallying for the liberation of Palestine ... political science, culture and art are also available for readers and scholars. .............................................................................................. 24 Film and Art Division: The film and art division consists of video and audio tapes Iranian Model of Kidney transplatation: Only solution of classical Persian music, art books, calligraphy models, attractive sceneries, handicrafts and various prominent for Global crisis ............................................................. 30 Iranian films. In addition, film festivals and cultural exhibitions in various parts of Kenya are also organised Persian Gaz (Nougat) Sweet symbol of Isfahan ...... 34 by this Office. Public Relations Department: Why Isfahan is “Nesf-e-Jahan” Half of the World .. 39 The department arranges meetings with prominent personalities from the domain of Kenya art and culture. The 32nd Tehran International Book Fair ................. 47 Organises seminars, round table discussions and cultural programmes. 34th Fajr Music Festival ................................................ 56 Information Centre: The centre provides necessary information about Iranian Iran’s Fishing Industry ...................................................... 62 art, culture and all other facets of the Islamic Republic of Iran. How can sports contribute to real peace: Imam Distribution Unit: This unit is responsible for providing Persian books, Khamenei .......................................................................... 66 periodicals, magazines to the Persian loving people. Persian Language Teaching Centre: Major achievements of the Iranian sportspersons in the This unit is responsible for organising Beginners, Intermidiate and advance level Persian courses for interested students. past years ....................................................................... 70 Besides, the unit has introduced Persian language teaching programme in Kenyan Universities. Scholarship for Kenyan Students We offer scholarships to study in the Islamic Republic of CULTURAL COUNCIL Iran to pursue either Bachelors, Masters or PhD. Please EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN visit www.irankenya.org for more information. NAIROBI-KENYA Translation Unit: AmBank House, 11th Floor, University Way The Cultural Council also does translation of books from +254-02) 2241216 (+254) 713 836041 Persian to English. [email protected] www.nairobi.icro.ir www.irankenya.org irani culture Editorial s another new moon indeed, a human rights event open heralds the start of to both Muslim and non-Muslims the holy month of alike. Ramadan, I extend We at the Iran Mirror Magazine, IRAN MIRROR my best wishes to all we are strongly behind the liberation AMuslims in Kenya and around the of Palestine from the chains of world. oppression and Zionism. For many, this month is an In this edition we have a story on opportunity to focus on reflection Iran Healthcare system, read about Mr. Mahmoud Majlesain and spiritual growth, forgiveness, Iran’s wide range of state-of-the-art patience and resilience, compassion treatment, through an extensive for those less fortunate, and unity network of highly-equipped across communities. hospitals, around 850 hospitals, and Let us mark this blessed month of rehabilitation centers at reasonable Ramadan by fasting not just with our costs. stomachs, but also with our hearts, Read through how Iran is also tongues, eyes and ears. Let us very cost competitive as compared remember the far too many, of all to its regional competitors, including faiths, who are less fortune, and act Jordan, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, in the way of expressing love for and Bahrain as well as southeast EDITORIAL TEAM that which is good; always mindful Asian countries such as Thailand, of Creator and the piety he has Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Executive Director bestowed in us. and India. Mahmoud Majlesain We are truly fortunate to be alive Christianity has a long history at this blessed period of Fasting. in Iran, dating back to the early Editor/Research Let us seize Ramadhan as an years of the faith, and pre-dating Khamis Mohamed opportunity to remind ourselves and Islam. According to statistics, there fellow man of that which brings us are at least 600 churches and Graphic Editor/Production together as one Ummah under one 300,000–370,000 Christians in Creator. Iran’s today. Athman Farsi Happy International Al-Quds As we feature a story about Day! Long live Palestine! The annual Minorities in Iran, I am proud to say Online Distribution international Quds day event is here that Iran is home to all Iranians, be Athman Farsi with us again during the last Friday they Muslim, Christian, Jewish or of the holy month of Ramadhan. Zoroastrian and consider respecting It’s an opportunity for all divine religions as the valuable freedom-seeking people across teaching of the merciful Islam. the world, regardless of faith, to You can also have a taste of voice their support for the cause Isfahan which we feature in this of Palestine and vent their anger edition. You will definitely know why against the Apartheid regime, which Isfahan has long been nicknamed as Cultural Council has occupied Palestinian territories Nesf-e-Jahan which is translated into Embassy of I.R.I since 1967. “half the world”; meaning seeing P.o. Box 59595-00200 Millions of people in Iran and it is relevant to seeing the whole Nairobi-Kenya other Muslim and non-Muslim world. Plus other heartwarming Tel: +254 713 836 041 countries worldwide hold rallies stories from the Persian nation. Email: [email protected] in solidarity with the Palestinian www.nairobi.icro.ir people. Quds Day is a far cry from Ramadhan Kareem and Happy www.irankenya.org a casual Islamic religious event. It is, Idd-ul Fitr in advance. 4 IRAN MIRROR MAY 2019 RAMADHAN Ramadhan, an opportunity to unleash the soul from the IRAN MIRROR material world: Imam Khamenei amadan provides the human soul with an to that of the word “submit” in the ayah: “And whoever opportunity to break free. The month of submits himself wholly to God and he is the doer of Ramadan is an opportunity for our souls to good (to others), he indeed has taken hold of the firmest be purified of material factors that surround thing upon which one can lay hold,” [The Holy Quran, us. It provides an opportunity for our souls 31: 22]. “Whoever submits himself wholly to God” Rto become illuminated. This is the reason behind the means surrendering one’s heart and soul and making existence of the month of Ramadan in sharia - it is an them submissive to divine will, divine orders, and sharia. opportunity. Ramadan has also been referred to as “The Month of Certain characteristics of the month of Ramadan have Purification” which means that Ramadan has a quality been mentioned in the duas (supplications) recorded in that purifies people from impurities. When an impure, Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya or other books of prayers. And precious metal like gold is placed inside a furnace, it is each of these characteristics are worthy of reflection. purified. Purification means purifying the human soul of The month of Ramadan has been referred to as “The its impurities. —These are all qualities that have been Month of Penitence”, which I will discuss in few sentences mentioned about the month of Ramadan. later on, and “The Month of Surrender” which is in Sahifa It appears that the month of Ramadan among other al-Sajjadiyya. The meaning of “surrender” is identical months of the year is like prayer times among other IRAN MIRROR MAY 2019 5 RAMADHAN times of the day. That is to say, holy sharia has problem lies and identify the path that is wrong: this is a provided opportunities in the form of prayers very important point. As we move along, we often tend for people who are restricted by material to turn a blind eye to the mistakes that we make and to factors. The five daily prayer times are like an our faults. We fail to notice the problems that plague alarm. They provide us with a kind of privacy our efforts. This happens in our individual responsibilities IRAN MIRROR in order to illuminate