News- On the occasion of the World Heritage Conference: Shahrood, Bastam and Kharaghan held on 19 June, 2018, ECI President, Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Mazheri issued a message.
The message reads:
In the name of Allah
Iran is the cradle of the oldest human civilization and the gateway to the ancient world. Iran shares many commonalties in culture and civilization with other countries in the ECO region, which is considered as a valuable heritage to the world. Semnan province is the oldest civilization on the Iranian plateau. The ancient civilization vestiges found all over the province counts as evidence to support the claim. As part of the route of the ancient Silk Road, the traces of which remains today, it held an important position in the economic exchanges of ancient Iran. Climate variations, unique nature's bounties, ethnic and linguistic diversity, as well as the historical and cultural capacities have brought rapid growth in the development of tourism to Semnan.
In addition, Semnan contains cities such as Shahrood, Bastam and Kharaghan, which have undoubtedly made it a source of scientific and cultural richness like Konya, Ashgabat, Khujand, Samarkand, Bukhara and many other cities in the ECO region, where the greatest of the mystics such as Bayazid Bastami, Sheikh Alaoddoleh Semnani, Sheikh Abulhassan Kharqani, Foroughi Bastami, Manuchehri Damghani have been born and nurtured of whom the peoples of the ECO region take pride in; the geographical area rich in culture and civilization, whose peoples sharing historical experiences and cultural commonalties. Although there exists a patchwork of ethnics, religious and linguistic diversity within the region, shared culture and traditions have created cultural unity in diversity in the region.
Today, it is essential to know more about the capacities of the ECO region and the complexities of cultural issues in global affairs. Particularly, in time when we encounter the process of globalization, which, in turn, has made the status of culture and dimensions and cultural effects more critical and tangible, calling all states' intellectual and behavioral levels into a platform. In such circumstances, there is a need for a change on the climate of all-embracing interactions not only at the national and regional levels, but also among the ECO countries.
Anyway, today's event indicates the heed paid by the authorities to this issue. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers of the event and all those who share such achievement and appreciate all those who assist ECO Cultural Institute to preserve and safeguard the cultural heritage that represents the identity of the peoples of the region. May Allah Almighty bless you in all your endeavors and grant you success.
Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Mazaheri
President
ECO Cultural Institute (ECI)