Importance of learning Persian language stressed

Islamabad, May 1, IRNA – Pakistani educationists and intellectuals have stressed the need for learning Persian language as it would help in bringing people of Iran and Pakistan closer to each other. They made the remarks at certificate awarding ceremony to the students of Persian language course at Iranian Cultural Center in Peshawar. The course was arranged with a joint effort of Iranian Cultural Center and Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar. During the ceremony, scholars and intellectuals recited poetic versus from the works of Saadi, Rumi, Hakim Aboulqasem Ferdowsi, and Allama Iqbal. Speakers stressed that Iran and Pakistan share identical religion and culture and expressed hope that cultural activities between the two countries would further enhance. They also expressed gratitude to Iranian Cultural Center for holding Persian language courses in Pakistan. Iranian Consul General in Peshawar, Hassan Darvishvand said that Persian is an important language adding that messages of Saadi, Rumi, Ferdowsi, and Iqbal could not be understood without learning the Persian language. He expressed the hope that Persian language courses would continue in Pakistan. He said that people of Pakistan and Iran enjoy the same culture. Vice Chancellor of University of Peshawar, Rasul Jan said that Persian and Urdu are very close languages. He added that one cannot understand the Pakistani classic literature without learning Persian. “You need to study Persian if you want to study Rumi,” he said. Director of Iranian Cultural Centre Ali Yousefi also said that it is very encouraging to see that 17 Pakistani students have finished the Persian language course. He added that Iranian Cultural Centre would continue holding such courses with the cooperation of the University of Peshawar. Talking to IRNA on the sideline of the program, Darvishvand said Persian language courses would help the people of Pakistan learn about the Iranian culture. On the upcoming visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Iran, he said the visit is highly significant and would help boost the strong ties between Iran and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Rasul Jan also told IRNA that Pakistani universities should send their students and scholars to Iranian universities since the two nations share same culture and religion. He said foreign students act as ambassadors of their countries. He stressed the importance of Tehran-Islamabad cooperation and called for further expansion of bilateral ties. end