Pezeshkian calls for return to Sa’adi’s profound thought in face of anti-civilizational forces

President Masoud Pezeshkian called for a return to the ethical and humanist thought of classical Persian poet Sa’adi in a message marking Sa’adi Commemoration Day on April 21, with Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Abbas Salehi issuing a parallel tribute highlighting unity and compassion.
Pezeshkian cast Sa’adi as a cornerstone of Iran’s Iranian-Islamic civilization, urging renewed engagement with his “profound” ideas and refined literary voice.
He said the Shiraz-born poet sought to revive a humane, ethical society grounded in justice, social responsibility, and coexistence, adding that reliance on such a legacy has enabled Iran to endure and play a lasting role in human history.
“Today, in the face of anti-civilizational forces, we must turn to Sa’adi’s profound thought,” the President said, emphasizing the continued relevance of his teachings in navigating contemporary challenges and strengthening national cohesion.
He described Sa’adi as among the architects of Iran’s cultural and civil revival after the Mongol invasions, crediting his prose and poetry with laying enduring foundations for Persian literature and moral discourse.
In a separate message, Salehi said commemorating Sa’adi shows a “living Iranian soul” rooted in compassion, wisdom, and dialogue.
He pointed to the poet’s renowned verse that “human beings are members of a whole” as a timeless moral charter transcending borders and identities.
Salehi added that Iranian culture has long advanced peace and coexistence, noting that recent developments have once again underscored national solidarity alongside dignified resilience, reflecting the enduring spirit of the Iranian people.
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