PESHAWAR: Consul General of Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad B Beigi has formally launched Persian language certificate course at the historic Islamia College University.

Director-General of Iranian Cultural Centre in Peshawar Ali Yusafi, Vicechancellor of ICU Ajmal Khan, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Dr Naushad Khan, Ghayyur, a senior Persian language specialist at ICU, teachers and students participated in the ceremony that was held at Majeed Mian Hall of the uni-versity,said a pressrelease.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Belgi said that without a proper understanding to Persian language, it was quite difficult to get in depth knowledge about the socio-cultural ethos and norms of the region.

He said that Persian remained the language of official works, arts, culture, spirituality, research, teaching and education in the sub-continent.

That`s why the British got the services of language specialists to translate rich Persian cultural material into English for their understanding to the region, said Mr Belgi.

The Iranian consul general said that language was the only tool that played pivotal role in bringing close divergent elements in a region.

`The Persian language has the ability to assemble people of the region on a single platform for sharing their knowledge, expertise, arts and culture,` headded.

He announced to send the most outstanding students of Persian class at university on a study tour to Iran.

Addressing the gathering, Ali Yusafi expressed the hope that the staff members and students of the university would take maximum benefit of learning Persian from experts.

He said that Khana-i-Farhang Islami Iran would provide all other educational facilities to the students of Persian language.

Mr Yusafi invited the ICU staff and students to regularly visit the rich library of Khana-i-Farhang Iran for their intellectual enrichment and gaining knowledge.

Vice-chancellor Ajmal Khan, in his address, paid glowing tributes to the Iranian leadership for successfully facing economic sanctions and convincing the international community to end those sanctions and landing Iran into theactive community of nations at the global level.

He appreciated the Iranian diplomatic and cultural offices in Peshawar for promoting intellectual and educational activities.

He expressed the hope that very soon ICU and educational institutions of Iran would sign MoUs for active academic cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Naushad Khan also highlighted the role of Islamia College Peshawar in the movement for creation of Pakistan and the past sociocultural links between Indo-Pak subcontinent and the Persian language.

He said that in the present scenario when the region was witnessing large scale strategic changes, there was a need to bring the people of each country of the region close to each other.

Vice-chancellor Ajmal Khan and Dr Naushad Khan presented ICP`s oil paintings to the Iranian officials.