TEHRAN, 29 September 2026 — Ambassador Mohammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, said that Shams of Tabriz and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi are part of the shared cultural heritage of the ECO region and a spiritual legacy connecting its peoples.
A commemorative ceremony honouring Shams of Tabriz and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi was held on 29 September 2026 at the Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Iranian Cultural Heritage and Distinguished Figures, with the participation of scholars, academics, researchers, cultural figures and admirers of Persian language and literature.
Ambassador Mohammad Hassan attended the ceremony and delivered remarks on the place of Shams and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi in the culture and civilisation of the ECO region and the role of shared cultural heritage in strengthening ties among the peoples of the region.
At the beginning of his remarks, the President of the ECO Cultural Institute expressed his pleasure at the organisation of the commemorative event and described Shams and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi as two major figures of culture and thought whose names and works transcend geographical and national boundaries and have a shared place among the peoples of the region.
“Shams and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi belong not only to one city, one country or even one nation. They are part of the shared cultural heritage of the ECO region and a spiritual legacy of all those peoples who, throughout history, have communicated with one another across this civilisational space through culture, literature, thought and spirituality,” he said.
Referring to the historical and civilisational background of the ECO region, Ambassador Mohammad Hassan noted that the region is home to diverse civilisations, languages and cultures that have developed alongside one another over the centuries. He said that great figures such as Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi, Hafez, Saadi, Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Jami and other distinguished thinkers and literary figures should be regarded as a shared heritage of humanity and as links connecting the peoples of the region.
He described the relationship between Shams and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi as one of the most significant expressions of this cultural and spiritual connection. Their encounter, he said, showed how a meeting between two people can transform the course of thought and life. Shams invited Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi on an inward journey—from appearance to meaning, from division to unity, and from self-centredness to a deeper sense of humanity.
The President of the ECO Cultural Institute further stressed the universal nature of Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi’s message, noting that concepts such as love, human dignity, tolerance, self-knowledge and the search for truth are not confined to any particular time or place and remain relevant in today’s world.
Referring to contemporary global challenges, including war, violence, extremism, mistrust and growing distances between people, Ambassador Mohammad Hassan said that turning to the intellectual heritage of figures such as Shams and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi is more than a cultural or literary undertaking. He noted that their thought can also contribute to humanity’s response to the spiritual and human challenges of the present age.
“Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi teaches us that differences need not become walls; they can become bridges through which we come to understand one another. His works remind us that before belonging to a particular border, language or ethnic group, every person is a human being, sharing common pain, hopes and aspirations,” he said.
The President of the ECO Cultural Institute also emphasised the potential of the region’s shared cultural heritage to promote dialogue and cooperation among its peoples. He stressed that this heritage should move beyond books and museums and become part of contemporary life, reaching younger generations through dialogue, cooperation, art, cinema and literature.
Ambassador Mohammad Hassan also referred to the role of the ECO Cultural Institute, stating: “The ECO Cultural Institute is committed to supporting this approach. We believe that culture is one of the most effective means of bringing peoples closer together, and that shared heritage is one of the strongest foundations for friendship among the countries of the ECO region.”
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Mohammad Hassan said that honouring Shams and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi is, in essence, a celebration of humanity and the aspiration to bring people closer together. He expressed hope that the thought and legacy of these two great figures would continue to guide humanity towards understanding, love, dialogue and empathy.
He also expressed hope that shared cultural heritage would serve as a bridge towards a future in which the peoples of the ECO region know one another better, grow closer and work together for peace and human well-being.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Ambassador Mohammad Hassan expressed his appreciation to the organisers of the commemorative event honouring Shams and Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi at the Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Iranian Cultural Heritage and Distinguished Figures.