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UNESCO adds Iranian philosopher Tabatabaei, mystic Bastami to global commemoration list
By celebrating its philosophers, Iran recalls a legacy of Islamic thought and Sufi wisdom, projecting cultural influence abroad and reaffirming its place in the world’s shared intellectual heritage, IRNA reported.
The decision was adopted during the 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference, underway in the historic Silk Road city of Samarkand from October 30 to November 13. The session was attended by Minister of Science, Research and Technology Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, who also heads the National Commission for UNESCO, and the body’s Secretary-General Hassan Fartousi.
Tabatabaei’s centennial of intellectual life will be marked with support from Azerbaijan, Iraq and Pakistan. His groundbreaking work ‘Principles of Philosophy and the Method of Realism’ is credited with forging a dialogue between Islamic thought and Western rationalism.
UNESCO documents describe him as a “bridge-builder” between philosophical traditions, a scholar whose reasoning “transcended borders” in pursuit of mutual understanding.
The commemoration of Bastami’s 1,150th death anniversary was backed by Armenia, Tajikistan and Turkey. Born around 803 CE in the north-central Iranian city of Bastam, he was revered as “King of Mystics.”
Bastami’s teachings, centered on humility, lifelong learning and harmony with nature, resonate strongly with UNESCO’s advocacy of lifelong education and sustainable development.
Iran’s commission said both figures embody “timeless values of knowledge, reason and coexistence.” It plans a series of international academic conferences and exhibitions in their honor next year.
Tehran also played an active role in three other nominations approved for the 2026–2027 cycle, the 1,050th birth anniversary of Persian poet Rabia Balkhi (backed by Tajikistan and Afghanistan), the 50th anniversary of Iraqi philosopher Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr’s ‘Logical Foundations of Induction,’ and the 500th birth anniversary of Turkish poet Baki.
UNESCO’s commemoration list, updated every two years, celebrates figures whose work promotes dialogue among cultures and advances peace, a mission that, for Iran, remains both philosophical and strategic.