RIYADH, 3 December 2004 — Saudi students pursuing higher studies in Iran, preferably those joining Persian language courses in the first phase of the joint educational initiative, will receive scholarships from the Iranian government. This announcement was made by Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology Jafar Towfiqi Aryani here following his talks with Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, and Minister of Higher Education Dr Khaled Al-Anqari.
The move to enroll Saudi students at the Iranian universities and colleges is intended to boost bilateral relations in educational and cultural fields. Persian today is spoken by more 22 million people in central and south central Iran and large numbers speakers in countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, India, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar and Tajikistan. Under Mongolian and Turkish rulers, Persian was adopted as the language of government in Turkey, Central Asia and India, where it was used for centuries and until after 1900 in Kashmir.
Modern Persian, written in a version of the Arabic script and full of words of Arabic origin, appeared during the 9th century. “Hence, an effort must be made to promote Persian language in Saudi Arabia keeping in view its importance”, said the Iranian minister. Towfiqi reiterated that “the first scholarships will be granted to Saudi students studying Persian”.
“Moreover, plans are also under way to send Iranian professors of Persian language to teach at Saudi universities. He said “Scientific cooperation between the universities of the two states was also reviewed in the meeting.” He pointed out that other agreements were reached with Saudi officials for cooperation in scientific areas. Iran, he said, also welcomes Saudi assistance to upgrade its Arabic language courses in universities.
In response to claims made by the West that the education imparted in schools or universities in many Islamic countries encouraged terrorism, the Iranian minister stressed that “Islam condemns terrorism and the two cannot exist together”. Towfiqi believed the best way Muslim countries can refute such claims is by upgrading and strengthening their scientific activities and infrastructures.
The Iranian minister visited the King Abdul Aziz Public Library where he discussed proposals to exchange Persian and Arabic books. The minister and his delegation also paid a visit to the Imam Mohammad bin Saud Islamic University, the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, and the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology.
