The ECO Cultural Institute held a scientific session to honor the academic and cultural contributions of Dr. Aref Noushahi, renowned Iranologist and scholar, with a focus on Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a distinguished Sufi and intellectual. The session took place on Wednesday, 24 Dey 1404 (14 January 2026) and was attended by ambassadors and representatives from ECO member states, as well as scholars and researchers.
At the opening of the session, Ambassador Mohammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, welcomed the guests:
“It is our honor to host you at the ECO Cultural Institute, a forum dedicated to fostering scientific dialogue, cultural understanding, and exchange of ideas across the region. We sincerely appreciate your continued support for the shared cultural and intellectual heritage of the ECO region.”
He further stated:
“Considering Dr. Aref Noushahi’s scholarly contributions and the significance of his work, we deemed it appropriate to organize this roundtable to benefit from his insights. Today’s discussion focuses on the legacy of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a prominent Persian-speaking Sufi and spiritual leader of the Kubrawiyya School. His role in promoting Islamic knowledge, moral refinement, and spiritual education in Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Central Asia is well documented in historical and academic sources.”
Following this, Dr. Nezamuddin Zahedi, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Tehran, highlighted Hamadani’s influence in Tajikistan, noting that he is revered as “Hazrat Amirjan,” with his image and verses featured on national currency. Many of his works have been published in Tajikistan, and researchers continue to study his legacy.
The session also included presentations by prominent scholars, including Dr. Gholamreza Amirkhani, Dr. Ali Asghar Shaerdoost, Dr. Akbar Irani, Dr. Hadi Kiasari, and Dr. Mohammad Hassan Hasrat, who discussed Hamadani’s works and Dr. Noushahi’s research contributions.
In a special segment, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Hasrat elaborated on Hamadani’s impact in Baltistan, Pakistan, tracing the region’s historical, cultural, and linguistic heritage and its transformation through the spread of Islam and Persian influence.
Finally, Dr. Aref Noushahi presented a detailed report on his extensive research on manuscripts and shared experiences of collaboration with scholars from ECO member states.
At the conclusion of the event, the ECO Cultural Institute, Embassy of Tajikistan in Tehran, and Shahryaran Cultural Institute presented Dr. Noushahi with commemorative gifts. The session concluded with a visit to the institute’s library by the President of the ECO Cultural Institute, Dr. Noushahi, and Dr. Hasrat.