Mashad, Khorasan Razavi Prov, May 14, IRNA – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said selecting of Mashad as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic world in 2017 is an opportunity for introducing Islamic-Iranian culture to the world nations including Muslims.


Mashad has been elected as Asia’s Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2017 by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

ISESCO was established in May 1981 by the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen, promote and consolidate cooperation among its Member States including Iran. It has adopted Capitals of the Islamic Culture for the years 2005-2025.

The Iranian foreign minister made the remarks in a meeting here on Friday with Governor General of the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi Alireza Rshidian.

Zarif voiced Foreign Ministry readiness to help provincial officials hold the event.

Rashidian commented on the election of Mashad as the Asian Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2017 stressing that the province of Khorasan Razavi Province should grasp the opportunity for further relations with other Muslim nations.

He said that as a border province, Khorasan Razavi enjoys easy access to the Central Asia countries.

Zarif visited in Mashad on May 12-13.

By IRNA