Who is Abbas Salehi, Iran’s pick for Culture Ministry?
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proposed Abbas Salehi as the new Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
Salehi, a moderate figure with a background in religious education, is currently the managing director of Ettela’at Newspaper and the president of the University of Religions and Denominations.
Born in 1963 in Mashhad, Salehi has a long history in Iran’s cultural and political scene. He is a well-known figure in the country’s religious circles, having studied at the Qom Seminary and earned a reputation as an outstanding student of philosophy and Islamic jurisprudence, IRNA wrote.
Prior to his proposed appointment as minister, Salehi served as the deputy culture minister from 2013 to 2017, during which he worked to promote Iranian culture and art and strengthen cultural diplomacy.
He is respected as a moderate and a proponent of dialogue, always striving to foster constructive engagement between artists, writers, and government institutions.
Salehi’s other accomplishments include his scholarly and research activities in various cultural and religious fields. He has authored numerous articles and books on religious and philosophical subjects, showcasing his expertise in these
areas.
Salehi served as Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance (2018-2021) in president Hassan Rouhani’s second term, promoting Iranian culture and art and enhancing cultural diplomacy.
Before becoming a minister, Salehi was the deputy minister of culture (2013-2017), playing a crucial role in cultural policy-making and supporting cultural and artistic endeavors.
He was the managing director of “Information, Wisdom, and Knowledge” Newspaper, focusing on philosophical and intellectual topics.
Salehi contributed to significant cultural decision-making in Iran as a member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. Salehi began his religious studies at the Qom Seminary and pursued advanced levels of religious education, specializing in philosophy and Islamic jurisprudence.
He has written extensively in the fields of culture, philosophy, and religion, including articles and books on Islamic philosophy and religious topics.
Salehi served as an editor and board member of various scientific and cultural publications.
He has taught a range of subjects, including philosophy and Islamic jurisprudence, in academic institutions and universities.
With a background in both religious and philosophy, Salehi studied under renowned scholars like Gholamhossein Ebrahimi Dinani, Yahya Ansari Shirazi, Abdollah Javadi-Amoli, and Hassan Zadeh Amoli. He has taught courses in philosophy, Islamic jurisprudence, and theology since 1991 in both religious seminaries and universities.
The Iranian Parliament’s specialized commissions started deliberations on Pezeshkian’s cabinet lineup as of Sunday afternoon and in two work shifts during the next four
days.
The proposed ministers are also slated to be discussed in the Parliament’s plenary sessions as of August 17.