Minister calls for balance to enhance Qur’an exhibition appeal
The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Abbas Salehi, emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between the various dimensions of the International Holy Qur’an Exhibition to enhance its appeal to both general and specific audiences.
During the policy-making council meeting for the International Holy Qur’an Exhibition, held on February 4, Salehi acknowledged the challenges they face this year, saying, “We are confronted with several constraints, but limitations can sometimes lead to the creation of opportunities,” according to IRNA.
He added the financial constraints as the first limitation, stating, “This year, we have two Qur’an exhibitions, one in (March-April) and another in Esfand (February-March), which only happens once every 33 years. However, the budgetary resources have not been allocated for two exhibitions.”
Salehi further explained that the venue, Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla (prayer grounds), also presents a unique situation as it is only available for less than half the duration compared to previous years due to its use for Friday prayers until the end of winter. He added, “The third issue is the change of government and the appointment of new officials. This combination of factors has created a unique set of circumstances for this year’s exhibition, and expectations should be adjusted
accordingly.”
The minister suggested that these limitations could be turned into opportunities, saying, “The issues related to the exhibition space and budget can lead to prioritizing and eliminating the superfluous elements that have become customary.”
Salehi continued, “The current situation provides an opportunity for selection and filtering, allowing the exhibition to improve by eliminating unnecessary elements.”
He emphasized the need to capitalize on these limitations for better balance, filtering, and selection, stating, “The financial situation also presents an opportunity for further cost-saving measures and requires a new approach to financial management to navigate these new conditions.”
Salehi then elaborated on the various aspects of the International Holy Qur’an Exhibition, saying, “One aspect is cognitive, dealing with Qur’anic knowledge and teachings. Other dimensions include artistic, technological, international, and media aspects, which should complement each other to collectively enhance the exhibition’s appeal.”