Iran, Afghanistan to launch intl. univ.

Iran and Afghanistan have reached an agreement to open an international university in an effort to promote Persian language and literature.

Iranian Ambassador to Kabul Fada Hossein Maleki announced the news on Saturday saying that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has also asked for the mutual cooperation of professors from both countries.

“Promoting Persian language and literature is one of the priorities of the Afghan government,” IRIB reported Maleki as saying.

“Persian language and works of great Persian poets such as Ferdowsi and Khayyam are taught in almost all major universities around the world,” he added.

Maleki emphasized the necessity of holding joint seminars to introduce Persian literary figures such as Abu Rayhan Biruni and Naser Khosrow Qobadiani.

The Iranian envoy said that Iranians and Afghans have protected their rich culture and civilization throughout history, adding that the two countries should further try to preserve their common cultural heritage.