Iranian diplomats speak to Pemassa on Iran– Malaysia relationship

The first part features the interview with Dr. Habibreza Arzani,  Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Malaysia.

Dr. Habibreza was posted to Malaysia last year. He was born in Tehran and hails originally from Esfahan, a significant city in Central Iran, which served as the magnificent capital of the Seljuq and Safavid dynasties.

Esfahan is celebrated for its exquisite beauty, encapsulated in the Iranian adage that “Esfahan is half the world.” This city is also renowned for its wealth of historical buildings, monuments, paintings, and artifacts. The city’s renown is further reflected in the Persian proverb Esfahān nesf-e-jahān ast, meaning “Isfahan is half (of) the world.” The Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, recognized as one of the largest city squares globally, is a testament to the city’s historical significance and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In his capacity as Iran’s Cultural Counsellor, Dr. Habibreza’s primary responsibility is to collaborate with the Malaysian government on matters of mutual interest. Having resided in Malaysia for nearly a year, he has observed that Malaysian culture shares numerous similarities with Iranian culture. To the extent that he has never felt like he is living in a foreign land; rather, it feels as though he is in at “home”. This is a testament to the warmth of Malaysian culture, which fosters a sense of unity among people, regardless of their origins.

According to Dr. Habibreza, the Iran Cultural Centre expresses its keen interest in exploring cultural relations with the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

As a Cultural Counsellor in Malaysia, our portfolio encompasses a diverse array of initiatives. Quran diplomacy is one of the important project amongst Muslim country. Cultural exchanges in the realms of art, such as batik and khatam, as well as traditional performances like wayang kulit and khemeh shab bazi (marionette puppetry). Exchange of precious stones, such as Firouz stone from Iran and Sabah’s pearl from Malaysia, is another field of cooperation.

In the spheres of science and culture, we have established Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with several esteemed universities and we have collaboration with some universities such as: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Malaya (UM), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), Multimedia University (MMU), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), and Asia Pacific University (APU).

Earlier this year, the Asia Pacific University (APU) hosted the ‘Nowrooz Celebration,’ which was attended by representatives from countries such as Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. The Nowrooz festival marks the beginning of the New Year on the Persian Calendar and has been celebrated for over 7,000 years.

Iran-Malaysia relations to continue to boost cultural bonds. His Excellency Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Malaysia said “the strong and unique bond between Malaysia and Iran, rooted in cultural and civilizational elements, has flourished over the last four decades”. Therefore we hope that the bilateral relation could be further strengthened, including in the field of education, economy, science and technology.

The Iran Cultural Centre is pleased to announce the upcoming expansion of its artist exchange program, which will include students and lecturers from universities in both Malaysia and Iran. As previously mentioned, we are diligently working on Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with potential partner universities in Iran, aiming to establish as many collaborative relationships as possible.

To date, we have successfully translated the works of Maulana Rumi into English, undertaken by the late Dr. Ajmal, and “Kimiya Saadat” (translated as “Ramuan Kebahagiaan”) into Bahasa Melayu, as part of a collaborative project with Inisiatif Buku Darul Ehsan (IBDE).

Additionally, the Iran Cultural Centre is in the process of coordinating a master class and a Film Festival, as well as facilitating the supply of Iranian dramas and movies to Malaysia’s National Television Channel. This is being done in collaboration with Malaysian broadcasting entities, the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), GSC Malaysia cinema, and renowned celebrities such as Hafiz Hamidun, Bront Palarae, and Hassan Abd Muthalib, the latter of whom is recognized as the ‘Father of Malaysian Animation.’

The Iran Cultural Centre expresses its keen interest in exploring cultural relations with the states of Sabah and Sarawak. As part of our strategic plan, we are considering the organization of an art exhibition in these two states, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Ministry of Communications of Malaysia.

On the Gaza conflict, and what both Iran and Malaysia can do more to assist the oppressed Palestinians in Gaza, Dr Habibreza says he would like to formally state that the oppression of Palestinians in Gaza is not merely a matter of concern for Islamic and Arab nations, it has evolved into a global humanitarian issue. Recently, we have witnessed positive statements and expressions of support for the Palestinian cause from various countries, including China, Russia, the African Union, Brazil, Spain, and Ireland. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, has articulated that the Zionist regime is not a legitimate government but rather a network of criminals, an alliance of killers and terrorists.

As the Cultural Counsellor of Iran, Dr. Habibreza is honoured to stand alongside the Malaysian people, who vehemently support the oppressed Palestinians and work tirelessly to help end the atrocities in Gaza. Since the inception of the Islamic Revolution 46 years ago, and even prior to the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini condemned the Zionist regime.

Imam Khomeini emphasized the fight against Zionism as one of the fundamental pillars of his revolutionary movement. The people of Palestine must shape their future through official elections.

Speaking on the future of Malaysia and Iran bilateral relationship, Dr. Habibreza noted that it is imperative that we enhance our bilateral relations with Malaysia, extending beyond cultural exchanges to encompass various other domains such as science, industry, technology, and commerce. He is confident that both Malaysia and Iran possess the potential to achieve significant growth together.

Meanwhile, on the US sanction against Iran,

Dr. Habibreza says since the inception of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the nation has faced a series of sanctions, which persist to this day and are expected to continue. However, they view these economic embargoes as catalysts for their growth and self-sufficiency. Despite these challenges, Iran has achieved comprehensive industrial and technological advancements, covering a wide range of sectors from A to Z.

Notably, Iran has successfully harnessed nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, demonstrating our nation’s commitment to scientific progress and innovation. It is important to underscore that Iran is a nation that values peace and harmony. Our religious principles strictly prohibit the development and use of nuclear weapons, considering such actions as forbidden (haram).

As a nation, we are dedicated to maintaining a strong and resilient stance, free from any form of oppression or aggression.

As an Iranian, he is honoured to collaborate with Malaysia, the country with diversity, that has achieved significant development. Together, we can foster mutual respect and cooperation for the betterment of our peoples.-pr