The commemoration of Prof. Abdul Hai Habibi, the famous Afghan writer, editor, historian and researcher, was held on Monday evening, July 5, 2021 at the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI).
According to the ECO Cultural Institute, in addition to Sarvar Bakhti, ECI President, and Abdul Ghafoor Liwal, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Iran, Prof. Edmund Herzig, Faculty of Oriental Studies, Oxford University, Prof. Habibullah Rafi, Member of the Afghan Academy of Sciences, Abdul Rauf Rafiqui, Ambassador of IQBAL for Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan & Central Asia, Dr. Ali Ravaghi, Professor at the University of Tehran and Member of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, Fazel Sharifi, Deputy Mayor of Kabul and Researcher of the Afghan Academy of Sciences, Dr. Ali Mir Ansari, Member of Supreme Scientific Board of The Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia delivered speeches in person and virtually.
"Prpf. Habibi is remembered for his valuable works for the people of the ECO region, which are still widely referred to decades after his death, and are the source of many researches around the world." Said Sarvar Bakhti in his statement at the ceremony according to the same report.
ECI President added: "We are all proud of Prof. Habibi and we have gathered today to talk about his personality, works, thoughts and contributions."
While thanking the President of ECI for holding the international commemoration of Prof. Abdul Hai Habibi, Abdul Ghafoor Liwal, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Iran, said: "I am very pleased that today international scholars and Iranian brothers are talking about Prof. Habibi's position.”
Referring to some personality traits of Prof. Habibi, he said: "He was open to criticism worthy and was always a pioneer in correcting his works."
Abdul Ghafoor Liwal called Prof. Habibi " a pioneer in various fields ". The Ambassador then referred to a list of his unique research activities and said: "One of the first high scientific ranks in Afghanistan was granted to Prof. Habibi."
Dr. Ali Ravaghi, a professor at the University of Tehran and a member of the Academy of Persian Languages and Literature and Dr. Ali Mir Ansari, Member of Supreme Scientific Board of The Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia also spoke at the event. They elaborated on the various dimensions of the role and influence of this famous Afghan writer and researcher in Codicology and correction of Persian texts.
Professor Edmund Herzig, Orientalist at the University of Oxford, Professor Habibullah Rafi, Member of the Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan, Dr. Abdul Rauf Rafiqui, Ambassador of IQBAL for Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan & Central Asia, and Fazel Sharifi, Deputy Mayor of Kabul appreciated ECI for commemoration of Prof. Abdul Hai Habibi and spoke about the different dimensions of the influence of the works and thoughts of this renowned Afghan writer on the literature of this country and other countries of the world.