Agreement Between Iran and Turkey to Promote Cultural Commonalities
Seyyed Qasem Nazemi, Cultural Counselor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkey, in a meeting with Mahmoud Reuf Arcaklıoğlu, Deputy Mufti of Ankara Province, emphasized the necessity of introducing and expanding cultural commonalities between the two countries.
The meeting was held at the Fidan Cultural Center in Ankara, where Arcaklıoğlu outlined the activities of the Directorate of Religious Affairs in the province and introduced the center. He explained that the center, located in a university district, was established to provide cultural and educational services to youth and students. He added that more than two thousand students benefit from its facilities, including a library, study hall, conference and film screening hall, as well as religious and psychological counseling services. Courses in Qur’an studies, Islamic teachings, traditional arts such as calligraphy and illumination, and Arabic and English language are also offered at the center.
Nazemi, referring to the misconceptions existing in both countries about each other, stated: “The perception of Turkey among Iranians is largely shaped by television series, while the reality of Turkish society is based on Islamic values and moral principles. This makes the accurate introduction of both nations all the more necessary.”
He further stressed that the Islamic world faces similar challenges under the cultural and civilizational pressures of the West, calling for synergy among intellectuals and cultural figures of Iran and Turkey. Nazemi announced the readiness of the Cultural Counsellor’s Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran to establish constructive connections and create intellectual and cultural bridges between the cultural actors of the two countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to further promote the shared cultural heritage of Iran and Turkey. It was also decided that a joint session would be held at the Fidan Cultural Center within the framework of the Global Movement for the Revival of the Natural Family.
