Persian carries 5,000 years of human civilization: Envoy
Iran's Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi hailed Persian as a language that carries millennia of human civilization, ethics and cultural heritage during a seminar marking the 105th anniversary of the Persian Language and Literature Department at the University of Dhaka on Thursday, while announcing a new package of academic and cultural cooperation with the department.
Addressing the seminar, The Persian Language and Literature Department at 105: Achievements and Prospects, Rahimi Jahanabadi described Persian as "far more than a means of communication," saying it offers access to "5,000 years of human experience in governance, ethics, civilization, literature, joy and sorrow." IBNA reported.
"By entering through the gateway of the Persian language, you step into the boundless world of human history, morality, mysticism and theology," he said. "Language is not merely a tool for communication. It is the medium through which a nation's identity, culture, thought and collective consciousness are expressed."
The ambassador said Persian remains a bridge to nearly 200 million speakers across Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan while also reflecting the historical and cultural legacy of the Indian subcontinent.
He praised the 11th-century epic poet Ferdowsi for safeguarding the Persian language and urged students to preserve their cultural identity. "By learning Persian, revive your past, help build human civilization and nurture the profound ideas this language has preserved," he said.
On the sidelines of the event, Rahimi Jahanabadi unveiled four joint initiatives with the University of Dhaka's Persian department. The plans include expanding the department's digital library and research resources with support from Iran, organizing academic study tours to Iran for students and faculty, providing professional training programs for Persian-language instructors at universities in Dhaka, Rajshahi and Chittagong, and launching weekly cultural programs centered on Iranian cinema, literature and culture.