Two Iranian Figures Added to UNESCO List
WANA (Nov 02) – UNESCO has added Bāyezīd Bastāmī and Allameh Tabataba’i, two of Iran’s most notable figures in mysticism and philosophy, to its global list of commemorations for 2026–2027, following a proposal by Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO and approval by the General Conference.
The recognition marks the 1,105th anniversary of Bāyezīd Bastāmī’s death, celebrated as a master of Islamic mysticism, supported by Armenia, Tajikistan, and Turkey. It also commemorates the 100th anniversary of Allameh Tabataba’i’s life and his seminal work, “Principles of Philosophy and the Method of Realism”, supported by Azerbaijan, Iraq, and Pakistan.
The decision was made on Saturday, November 1, during the second session of UNESCO’s Foreign Relations Commission (PAX) at the 43rd General Conference in Samarkand. Iranian delegates, including Hossein Simayi, Minister of Science, Research, and Technology and head of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO, and Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Commission, attended the session.
The National Commission announced plans to organize cultural and scientific events at national and international levels to celebrate and promote the legacy of these two figures.
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WANA (Apr 21) – Saadi of Shiraz, a poet, writer, and thinker of the 13th century, is one of the most prominent figures in classical Persian literature. He was born in Shiraz, studied at the Nizamiyya School in Baghdad, and spent many years traveling — from the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula to India and […]
Allameh Tabataba’i is recognized for bridging Islamic and Western philosophy. His influential work, Principles of Philosophy and the Method of Realism, comprises 14 philosophical essays linking traditional Islamic thought with modern Western philosophy.
The UNESCO proposal highlights his intercultural approach and dialogue, including his influential exchanges with French philosopher Henry Corbin, which helped introduce Islamic philosophical thought to Western academic circles.
Tabataba’i is celebrated as one of the greatest Quranic interpreters and a globally recognized philosopher whose ideas emphasize rationality, dialogue, and cultural connectivity.
Bāyezīd Bastāmī, born circa 180 AH (803 CE) in Bastam, Semnan, is acknowledged as a pioneer of Iranian Sufism, revered for his spiritual teachings and guidance of students from Iran, Iraq, India, Turkey, and Central Asia. He emphasized love for humanity, respect for nature, and the value of knowledge, promoting lifelong learning aligned with UNESCO’s modern vision.
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Bastāmī’s teachings inspired notable figures such as Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, Sheikh Abu al-Hasan Kharaqani, Attar of Nishapur, Rumi, Saadi, and Hafez, and continue to shape the principles of love-centered Iranian mysticism. His humanistic and universalist perspectives on knowledge, peace, and coexistence remain influential over a millennium later.
Additionally, Iran actively participated in registering three other commemorations of prominent Islamic and cultural figures: Rabi’a Balkhi (jointly with Tajikistan, supported by Belarus and Kyrgyzstan), Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr from Iraq (with backing from multiple countries, including Iran, Japan, India, and Russia), and Baki, a Turkish poet (supported by North Macedonia and Iran).
These inclusions reflect Iran’s continuing efforts to promote its cultural and intellectual heritage on the international stage through UNESCO’s commemorative programs.
Two Iranian Figures Added to UNESCO List. Social media/ WANA News Agency
