IRAN AT A GLANCE MIRRORPUBLICATION OF THE CULTURAL COUNCIL OF THE EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN, NIAIROBI-KENYA AUGUST 2018 ISSUE NO. 3 TEAM MELLI SHINES AT WORLD CUP 2018 MILAD TOWER, TEHRAN Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegh and Shrine Ensemble is the tomb of Sheikh Safi-ad-din Ardabili located in Ardabil, Iran Profile The Cultural Council of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Nairobi promotes mutual understanding and cultural co-operation among peoples in Kenya and Iran in Contents line with the principles of cultural heritage. The Council’s aim is to create enduring partnership between Iran and other cultures, and we do this by creating Editorial...................................................................................4 opportunities to connect with the latest skills, ideas and experience from Iran. Education ............................................................................. 5 Activities Ambassador’s Interview ................................................... 9 Library: The Cultural Council has a very rich library consisting Iran-Kenya Relations ........................................................ 13 of myriad of books in the field of Persian language and literature. Besides books on human sciences, history Early Childhood Development .......................................14 of Iran, Islamic studies, world history, religions, Islamic philosophy, a large number of books on social sciences, Status of Women in the view of Imam Khomeini (ra) .17 political science, culture and art are also available for readers and scholars. The Persian Qanat ........................................................... 20 Film and Art Division: Calligraphy in Architecture .......................................... 22 The film and art division of the Cultural Council consists of video and audio tapes of classical Persian music, art books, Persian Language ............................................................ 26 calligraphy models, attractive sceneries, handicrafts and various prominent Iranian films. In addition, film festivals Iran’s Red Gold ................................................................ 28 and cultural exhibitions in various parts of Kenya are also organised by this Office. The Grand Congregational Mosque ............................ 32 Public Relations Department: Religious Diversity in Iran ................................................ 35 The department arranges meetings with prominent personalities from the domain of Kenya art and culture. A Museum of Sound ......................................................... 39 Organising seminars, round table discussions and cultural programmes. Aviation ............................................................................. 41 Information Centre: Nano Technology .............................................................. 43 The centre provides necessary information about Iranian art, culture and all other facets of the Islamic Republic of Persian Gulf ...................................................................... 46 Iran. Distribution Unit: Team Melli ......................................................................... 49 This unit is responsible for providing Persian books, Skiing in Iran ..................................................................... 51 periodicals, magazines to the Persian loving people. Persian Language Teaching Centre: Pictorial .............................................................................. 53 This unit is responsible for organising Beginners, Intermidiate and advance level Persian courses for interested students. Besides, the unit has introduced Persian language teaching programme in one of the Universities in Kenya known as Jamiatus Saifee University located in Karen. Scholarship for Kenyan Students We offer scholarships to study in the Islamic Republic of Iran to pursue either Bachelors, Masters or PhD. CULTURAL COUNCIL EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN The Cultural Council also organizes religious programs, NAIROBI-KENYA Seminars and Conferences and translation of books among others. AmBank House, 11th Floor, University Way +254-02) 2241216 (+254) 713 836041 [email protected] www.nairobi.icro.ir www.irankenya.org irani culture Editorial ran Mirror is a gateway of Iran is full of landmarks whether information about Iran, as it is they are cultural, historical, or Iseen or sometimes unseen by the natural. Architecturally speaking, world. This being the third edition though, it has been greatly of the bi-annual magazine that influenced by both its various IRAN MIRROR gives you a myriad of information ruling dynasties and pre- and on different fields such as tourism, post-Islamic elements. In this travel, food, culture, science, edition, read on how Calligraphy technology, health, economy, and has influenced Iranian Architecture, Mr. Mahmoud Majlesain politics. in fact Calligraphy continues to Iranian culture has been be a unique Iranian approach to greatly influenced by religions. architectural embellishment. The Islamic Republic of Iran has Persian language and literature always been a religious place is indeed one of the most important for the men of religion who have loops in the chain of world literature wished to worship God in peace and a splendid piece of jewelry in and tranquility. Thus in all the cities the culture and civilization of the across Iran you can find numerous East and the Islamic World. It is in places of worship depending on fact the outcome of an enormous the religion of the residents. There process of cultural exchanges, EDITORIAL TEAM are some minority groups who encounters and mutual influences have devoted themselves to the that have taken place throughout Executive Director religion of Messiah; thus they have centuries to make Persian literature Mahmoud Majlesain constructed churches for themselves one of the humanity’s greatest to pray to their God. legacies. In this edition of Iran Editor/Research One of the most marvelous Mirror we have a piece on Persian Khamis Mohamed attractions of Iran in Isfahan is Language which I hope will give Vank Cathedral. you a glimpse of the status of Graphic Editor/Production In this edition of Iran Mirror we Persian language and literature in Athman Farsi feature Team Melli which had a the world today. fantastic performance at the 2018 I hope you enjoy this edition World Cup, a performance that and do let us know if there are any Distribution will linger in the memories of the topics you’d like to see covered in Mwinyi Ramadhani fans and critics for long time to the future. Osman Rajab come. It was arguably the best Mahmoud Majlesain performance that an Iranian team Cultural Counsellor Embassy I.R.I has displayed in a World Cup, Nairobi-Kenya perhaps only challenged by that glorious win against USA in 1998. Islands don’t usually come to Cultural Council mind when talking about Iran, but Embassy of I.R.I in fact, it has several in the Persian P.o. Box 59595-00200 Gulf. The largest is dolphin-shaped Nairobi-Kenya Qeshm, known as “the island of Tel: +254 713 836 041 seven wonders.” Read on our story Email: [email protected] on the Persian Gulf to discover www.nairobi.icro.ir why everyone needs to visit this www.irankenya.org amazing island. 4 IRAN MIRROR AUGUST 2018 EDUCATION Universities should train students to be optimistic about the future of their IRAN MIRROR country The following is part of the speech delivered on June 10, meeting addressed and paid attention to most of the 2018 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the fundamental issues and challenges of the country. For Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with university professors, example, the issue of the cinema which is an important outstanding personalities and academic researchers. issue the issue of the Bar-Jaam, the issue of water and the issue of social detriments were addressed in this In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful meeting. The points that the gentlemen in the meeting raised contained these issues. And this is what I advise ll praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, as well. The issue of scientific diplomacy and the issue of and peace and greetings be upon our Master water which is a very important issue were discussed AMuhammad and upon his pure household by the gentlemen in the meeting. Other issues include You are very welcome, dear brothers, dear sisters. innovation which I might refer to as well the economy Thankfully, today’s meeting was very good considering and other such issues. the statements that the friends in the meeting the 13 Well, such discussions are thankfully good. When I individuals who delivered speeches made. One of the compare this year’s meeting with the meetings which points that I have written down is that the universities were held seven, eight, ten years ago, I see that there of the country should be involved in the issues and is a radical difference. This shows that the academic challenges of the country and this was manifested in society has launched a progressing intellectual and this meeting. This is my definite word of advice and by motivational movement in recent years. I see that Allah’s favor, I might discuss this matter briefly later on. today, the movement, the feelings, the motivations, the I witnessed that the professors who spoke in this efforts and the concerns of the academic society have IRAN MIRROR AUGUST 2018 5 EDUCATION improved compared to 10, 15 years ago. creating and cultivating the intellectual faculty of the This is a very important point.