Tehran – Coinciding with the 33rd National Book Week of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the commemoration of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Lahori, the international summit "Book Diplomacy with the Spirit of Iqbal" was held on November 11, 2025 (Aban 21, 1404 HS) at the International Conference Hall of the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI), with the presence of ambassadors, high-ranking officials, poets, and thinkers from the ECO region countries.
According to the official website of the ECO Cultural Institute, the gathering was attended by the ambassadors and officials from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ecuador, Uganda, Brazil, Romania, Switzerland, and Malaysia. The event underscored the significance of linking knowledge and culture to promote regional relations and achieve the selfhood (Khudi) and awakening rooted in Iqbal Lahori's philosophy.
Mr. Mehrdad Rakhshandeh, the Acting President of the ECO Cultural Institute, in his opening remarks, welcomed the guests and emphasized the elevated status of Allama Iqbal and the importance of Book Week.
Subsequently, Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, the Federal Minister of National Heritage and Culture of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, delivered a video address emphasizing the depth of cultural ties between the nations.
Mr. Muhammad Mudassir Tippu, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Tehran, and Ms. Ismat Hassan Sial, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Pakistani Embassy, were the special guests of the summit. They delivered valuable speeches that outlined the role of Iqbal's poetry and wisdom in regional interactions.
A video message from Dr. Iqbal Salahuddin, the esteemed grandson of Allama Iqbal and Director of Iqbal School, offered the attendees a profound sense of connection to the familial legacy of the great sage.
Dr. Mandana Tishehyar, Deputy for Research at Allameh Tabataba'i University, participated with a scholarly lecture and inaugurated the poetry recitation segment.
The poetry reading session symbolized regional solidarity, featuring verses recited by distinguished poets from: Iran (Dr. Mahmoud Ekramifar and Dr. Mohammad Javad Aseman); Afghanistan (Ms. Zahra Zahedi and Mr. Hossein Mirzaei); and Pakistan (Dr. Zahed Munir and Mr. Ahmad Shahryar). This segment vividly portrayed the boundless expanse of the Persian language and literature and the Spirit of Iqbal's thought within the civilizational sphere.
The "Hoor" Music Group enhanced the spiritual and artistic atmosphere of the gathering with their enchanting performance.
The closing of the ceremony was the unveiling of the book "Raqā’im-e-Iqbāl to Atiyah Begum" (Iqbal's Letters to Atiyah Begum). The unveiling was preceded by an insightful video message from the book's translator, Dr. Ali Kashmiri, who spoke about the importance of the work and the challenges of translating the sage of Lahore's letters.
The "Book Diplomacy with the Spirit of Iqbal"summit, chaired by Dr. Zahra Aslani, indicate practical examples of cultural linkage across its three main segments. The event received comprehensive coverage from various media outlets, including IRIB Channel 2, Radio Farhang's Phoenix Program, Sahar Global Network, Ketab Network, and domestic and trans-regional news agencies such as IBNA, Tasnim, and Iran Press International Photo Agency, disseminating the message of unity and Iqbal's philosophy.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, guests visited the calligraphy exhibition featuring works by Master Khosrow Shirchi.