Based on a traditional belief, when someone is drowned in the sea, people in Bushehr mourn by beating their traditional drums and symbolically ask the sea to bring the dead bodies back to the coast.
Following the recent tragic incident in East China Sea, where all the 32 crew members of an Iranian oil tanker lost their lives after their ship Sanchi caught fire and sank, the Bushehris took to the Persian Gulf coast to mourn their deaths in their own way.
Here are ISNA’s photos of the ceremony:
In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi categorically rejected as baseless the claim by the British daily The Financial Times that Tehran had, in a recent Brussels meeting, agreed to hold “an intensive and very serious dialogue” on its missile program and regional issues.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s policy and position on its missile defence program is crystal clear, and other countries are well aware of the stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said the spokesman.
He said Iran’s stand has not changed at all despite the United States’ propaganda campaigns, threats, positions and viewpoints.
“As it has been announced time and again, Iran’s missile program is completely geared to defence and deterrence, and will not be use against any country, and making false and groundless claims will bring about no changes in this fundamental and key position of the country,” Qassemi underlined.
The spokesman reiterated that Iran will not allow any country to interfere in its domestic affairs and defence policies, especially the country’s missile program.
He also said Iran’s policy in the region is a constructive and stabilizing one aimed at further promoting peace and security in the region and across the world.
“If ill-wishers and extremists cannot help promote stability and security in the region, they are not allowed to ignore the role of Iran, which has paid a heavy price in fighting terrorism, insecurity and instability, and [are not allowed] to further fuel chaos and insecurity and spread terrorism in the region,” the spokesman underscored.
Iran will add Vank Cathedral to the list of Armenian churches inscribed at the UNESCO World Heritage website; according to the Deputy Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organisation (ICHTO), Mohammad Hossein Talebian.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the joint exhibition of Iran and Armenia held at the National Museum of Iran in Tehran, Talebian noted that Iran is doing its best to add other important Armenian churches, such as Vank in Isfahan, to this list.
According to a Farsi report by ISNA, Vank is one of the most famous cathedrals in Iran and the largest one in Isfahan province, central Iran. In terms of historical paintings and decorations, it is known as the most beautiful church in Isfahan.
It is a combination of Iranian and Armenian architecture, and this has made it a unique structure in the world.
The location of this church in the Jolfa district of Isfahan allows you to visit the most famous Iranian cafes there while looking at this magnificent work of art.
Anyone walking into the Jolfa district will be enchanted by its special atmosphere.
Isfahan hosted six churches until the end of the 17th century. Meanwhile, there were 24 churches in the Jolfa district. Today, there are only 13 of them left. Each of these churches has its own characteristics, but among them, the Vank is an exception.
The cathedral was established in 1606, dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of Armenian deportees that were resettled by Shah Abbas I during the Ottoman War of 1603-1618.
The construction is believed to have begun in 1606 by first arrivals of Armenians; and completed with major alterations to design between 1655 and 1664 under the supervision of Archbishop David. The cathedral consists of a domed sanctuary, much like an Iranian mosque; but with the significant addition of a semi-octagonal apse and raised chancel usually seen in western churches. The cathedral’s exteriors are in relatively modern brickwork and are exceptionally plain compared to its elaborately decorated interior.
The Vank as the most important church in Jolfa has been a centre for educating priests and has played the role of a Christian seminary. Many monks have grown there and reached the highest religious positions.
Today, the Vank is the centre of communication between the Armenians of Isfahan and the southern regions of Iran with the world. As a result, the cathedral is of great importance to the Armenians.
Here are photos of Vank cathedral retrieved from the Karnaval.ir website:
Damascus has given the green light to Iran’s proposal to establish branches of the Islamic Azad University in Syria, said Ali-Akbar Velayati, the head of the Board of Founders and Board of Trustees of the IAU.
“In a letter to [Syrian President] Bashar Assad, I announced that the Islamic Azad University is prepared to establish branches [in Syria] and he issued an order to establish branches of the Islamic Azad University in all Syrian cities,” Velayati said, as quoted by the Persian-language E’temad Online website.
Velayati said Islamic Azad University branches have been successful in different countries.
“[Students at] Different universities in Western countries are witnessing Iran’s growing power, and, hence, are seeking to learn the Persian language and literature as well as the Shiite and Islamic culture,” he noted.
Velayati also touched upon his recent meeting with Sheikh Humam Hamoudi, the head of Iraq’s Islamic Supreme Council, saying the Iraqi official welcomed the idea of the Islamic Azad University opening branches in his country.
The Iranian official also said he expressed the university’s readiness to open branches in Lebanon in a meeting with Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Movement Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah.
Velayati said Iran not only helps neighbouring and Islamic countries maintain their security, but also denies them no assistance to help promote Islamic, native and regional culture and shares with them its accomplishments in the field of science and technology.
The Islamic Azad University is a private university system in Iran, and one of the largest comprehensive systems of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the world.
Last year, the total number of enrolment in IAU branches was 1,620,000, which makes it the world’s fifth biggest universities in terms of enrolment.
Iranian Labour Minister Ali Rabiei, who was tasked by President Rouhani with following up the recent oil tanker accident, told a press conference in Tehran it is a very big lie that the tanker has been hit by a missile.
“If anyone is familiar with political issues and radar systems, s/he will understand this is not true. Moreover, the bill of lading was issued for South Korea, and the government officially confirmed it. This is not an issue that could be kept secret internationally,” the Khabar Online news agency quoted Rabiei as saying in a Farsi report.
In response to a question regarding the negligence of the Chinese, he said it was not possible to get service from the Japanese and the Koreans because the incident happened in the Chinese waters.
“Some were saying that the fate of our nationals may have not been important to the Chinese, but we did not find any evidence that the Chinese would not care for the seafarers’ lives,” he underlined.
The entire crew members of Iran’s Panama-registered Sanchi oil tanker were killed after the vessel collided with a Chinese freighter in the East China Sea.
This oil tanker had 32 people inside, 30 Iranians and two other people from Bangladesh. Only the bodies of three were recovered.
The vessel sank on Sunday after a huge explosion while a team of Iranian commandos were getting prepared for a rescue operation.
In a Tuesday meeting with Qatar’s parliament speaker in Tehran, Rouhani underlined that the Islamic Republic of Iran will always stand up for the Qatari government and nation.
“Today, there is a strong will on both sides to expand bilateral relations between Iran and Qatar,” Rouhani said, urging the officials of both states to spare no effort in deepening Tehran-Doha ties in all fields.
According to a Farsi report by the Iranian president’s official website, Rouhani stressed that Iran will never accept that the Muslim nation of Qatar comes under unfair pressure by the enemies.
“Iran and Qatar have had friendly and brotherly relations throughout history and have stayed with each other at harsh times,” Rouhani added.
For his part, Speaker of the Advisory Council of Qatar Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud appreciated the Islamic Republic’s support for the Qatari nation and government particularly during the recent tension in the region.
“We are delighted to see that Iran and Qatar have established their bilateral relations based on friendship, brotherhood and neighbourhood,” he said, adding that the two sides should attempt to expand their current relations as far as possible.
The Qatari government maintains that any conflict in the region should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding, he added.
“Today, thanks to the support we receive from our friends especially Iran, we are standing against the malice and nasty plots of our enemies,” he added.
The Qatari official is in Tehran to attend the 13th Session of Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States.
The American plan to establish a so-called Border Security Force (BSF) in Syria’s border areas “runs counter to international regulations and is a plot against Syria’s territorial integrity and security and the region,” the president said in a meeting with speaker of the People’s Council of Syria Hammouda Youssef Sabbagh in Tehran on Tuesday.
It came after the US-led alliance purportedly formed to fight the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group announced on Sunday that it was working with Arab and Kurdish fighters to establish the “Border Security Force”, which would be responsible for preventing a “resurgence” of Daesh in areas where the terrorists had been cleared by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a multi-ethnic alliance of predominantly Kurdish fighters.
Elsewhere in the meeting, Rouhani reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to helping the Syrian government and nation, urging efforts to help Syrian refugees return home and reconstruct their country.
The Syrian parliamentarian, for his part, said Damascus would never agree to the presence of US forces in the Arab country and has formally announced that Americans should leave.
Sabbagh also lauded Tehran’s unwavering support for the Syrian government and nation, calling for continued assistance in the process of reconstruction.
In September 2017, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that Iran will assist the Syrian nation in reconstructing their country after the war, in the same way that it contributed to the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Arab state amid the crisis.
Syria has been gripped by a civil war since March 2011, with militants from various terrorist groups, including Daesh, pouring into the Arab country.
On November 19, Daesh terrorists were flushed out of their last stronghold in Syria’s Al-Bukamal. The city’s liberation marked an end to the group’s self-proclaimed caliphate it had declared in 2014.
According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.
Throughout these years, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supports its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.
In a Tuesday meeting with the participants of the 13th session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Saudis are helping the US and Israel and it is a betrayal to the Muslim Ummah and the Muslim world.
The Leader further noted that the issue of Muslim unity is an important matter, adding, “We are ready to show brotherly behaviour even towards those who hitherto showed animosity towards us in the Muslim world.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution noted that the Muslim world, with its large population and facilities, can undoubtedly turn into a great and influential power in the world by maintaining its unity.
He also called on the Muslim world to stop conflicts saying that one of the aspirations of the enemies of Islam is to create differences, wage wars and cause bloodshed in the Muslim world to create a safe haven for the Zionists, and it must not be allowed.
“I believe that this fight against the Zionists will produce result, as today we see the resistance has progressed.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said once the Zionists’ slogan was From Nile to Euphrates, but today they are building a wall around themselves to be able to safeguard themselves on the occupied lands.
“Palestine is a collection; it is a country as well as a history, and its capital city is absolutely Jerusalem al-Quds.”
The Leader also referred to the attempts of the US to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the new capital of the Israeli regime saying that this is not something they could do.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also stated that there are important issues on the agenda of this session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, but there are some issues that have been neglected.
He said the issue of Yemen and Bahrain are important ones that must be resolved.
“My advice to our brothers in the Muslim world is that we should be outspoken regarding the basic issues of the Muslim world to have an impact on public opinion.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said “do not let them ignore you and the major issues of the Muslim world through conspiracy of silence.”
Palestine is an important issue of the Muslim world that is largely ignored, said the Leader.
Speaking in a Tuesday meeting with Senegal’s Parliament Speaker Moustapha Niasse in Tehran, Rouhani said the Iranian government and nation have special respect for African people because they fought colonialism for years and are trying hard for further progress and development.
“The US president’s words about African people were very regrettable and wrong and must be condemned, and show that incumbent US statesmen still have not understood the status and grandeur of African people well,” said President Rouhani, according to a Farsi report by his website.
The president noted that Iran stands ready to further expand its relations with Senegal in all scientific, cultural, trade, economic and political fields.
“Promotion of cooperation and ties between Iran and Senegal can contribute to the enhancement of relations between the African continent with the sensitive West Asia region,” Rouhani underlined.
The president said Muslim countries as well as Middle East nations are facing numerous problems, namely terrorism.
“The world of Islam needs more unity and brotherhood, so that it will be able to stand up to the enemies’ plots,” said Rouhani.
He expressed gratitude to the Senegalese government and nation for expressing sympathy over the tragic Sanchi oil tanker incident, adding, “Muslims sympathizing with one another in sad incidents is a sign of Islamic brotherhood.”
The top Senegalese parliamentarian, in turn, offered condolences to the Iranian people on behalf of the Senegalese government and nation over the oil tanker tragedy and hailed President Rouhani’s speech at the 13th Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) in Tehran.
He stressed the importance of solidarity among Muslims countries, urging Islamic nations to work towards further consolidating mutual relations and cooperation.
He also paid homage to the founding father of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, by narrating the memories of his meeting with the late Imam.
The exhibition, attended by more than 800 companies from around 70 countries, put on display the latest tourism achievements and capacities of the participant countries.
Visiting the exhibition, Iran’s Ambassador to Vienna Ebadollah Molaee held talks with the Iranian participants of the exhibition, a Farsi report by IRNA said.
The representatives of Iranian companies in the exhibition also sat for talks with their Austrian counterparts on Friday at the Iranian embassy building in Vienna.
In an address to the meeting, Director for Tourism and Handicrafts Affairs at Iran Tourism and Auto Racing Centre Ebad-Reza Eslami said, “This is the third consecutive year that Iran is taking part in Vienna exhibition.”
“10 Iranian tourism companies take part in the exhibition,” he said, adding that compared with the previous year, the number of Iranian companies has increase by 75 percent this year.
Iranian companies are interested in introducing their country’s tourism capacities and achievements to the Europeans.
He also added that Austria is interesting for the Iranian tourism companies as a new market. “Iran and Austria have historical commonalities.”
According to Eslami, by establishing a direct flight route between Iran and Austria, Iran is interested in hosting more German-speaking tourists not only from Germany but also from Austria.
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