The ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Uganda Mr Majid Saffar has revealed that the challenges their country has faced for years have helped them to grow drastically.
Iran has since its 1979 war victory against the Western-backed Iraq, grappled with a number of challenges including unending sanctions.
Speaking at the 2nd Iranology conference held at Mutesa I Royal University in Kampala today, Mr. Saffar said there have been a lot of innovations made by Iranians to sustain their country.
“The enormous challenges shaped our country to invest more in knowledge-based resources to build the nation in all aspheric developments through scholarly pursuit while creating global Harmony with other players,” he said.
He said that one cannot learn about Iran without acknowledging the achievements of the Iranian culture, and architectural design development among others.
He noted the multicultural diversity and dialogue which Iran fosters for humanity’s cause, as well as mentioning some of the works of celebrated scientists and poets such as Saadi, Rumi, and others.
The cultural counselor of the embassy’s cultural consulate and the main organizers of Iranology, Mr. Abdollah Abbasi, aid that Iran and its historical backgrounds give them room to gradually increase cultural tourism.
“Iran is strategically located to welcome different tourists in medical tourism, naturopathy tourism, cultural tourism, and rheumatism which creates alternatives for the best treatment,” he said adding,
“Medical tourism in Iran is relatively cheaper compared to other countries with professional medical doctors. Hydrotherapy tourism is used to treat different diseases using the available resources that make Iran best for healing such diseases,”
The Iranology seminar was organized to create a platform for students and professors who share a deep interest in Iran and its rich history and culture. The seminar seeks to give people worldwide a comprehensive notion of the Iranian civilization and to cooperate with foreign Iranologists in this regard. The academic and scientific discussion is the one that is responsible for identifying talented individuals and institutions that would like to study and observe the beauties and sophistication of Iran up close.
It was attended by hundreds of dignitaries including Iranians and their Ugandan friends.
Prof. Adam Sebyala, an academic lecturer at Al-Mustafa Islamic College said that Iran contributed greatly to the Islamic civilization and it stretched to East Asia where it conquered Egypt.
“Iranians gave their civilization free of charge to different societies and don’t entertain cultural invasion which is evidenced by the current resistance of more than 44 years. They have never allowed occupation of any kind but only allowed Islam culturally,” he said adding,
“Iran stands with the oppressed as they stood with Nelson Mandela during the Apartheid regime, The Palestinians, The Venezuela difficult fuel crisis among others,”
He reminded the delegates about the Iranian Revered General Qassem Soleimani, the former Commander of the Qurds Forces who was bombed by US drones for his works that rehabilitated churches in Iraq and Syria after the invasion of the terrorist attacks by ISIS
Prof Vicent Kakembo, the Vice Chancellor of Muteesa I Royal University lauded the embassy for the good Cooperation with the university.
He noted that Iran’s cultural civilization should be considered and learned from its development model and preservation.
The African Youth ambassador Mr Isa Katungulu Luyimbazi in his remarks advised the youth and young academia to prioritize their cultural values and promote pure African values through value addition and embracing science and technology just like the Islamic Republic of Iran.
