Shiraz, Youth Capital of the World of Islam

Shiraz is the city of culture, science, and creative thinking.

The growth, development and advancement of countries, in the domestic scene, and their powerful presence in political equations, and international relations lie in their economic growth and progress. Youths, who maintain huge capacities, need appropriate grounds for social and vocational activities. Whenever conditions are appropriate for work, activity, and production; youths display further interest for activity and production. Based on a sociological viewpoint, focus on youths can bring about dynamism and progress in different realms and lay the ground for growth, development, and maintenance of healthy social activities in the community and in the realm of youths. Thus, youths highly contribute to dynamism and elevation of any given country.

Within the final ministerial meeting of the Islamic countries in the city of Istanbul, the city of Shiraz was elected as the Youth Capital of the World of Islam. The Indonesian city, Bandung, and the Malaysian city, Putrajaya, rivaled with the city of Shiraz in an effort to earn the said title. Istanbul had earned this title in the years 2015, and 2016.

Maintenance of appropriate climate, presence of educated human resources for optimal organization of international events; maintenance of appropriate scientific centers and educational and academic structures; publication of the highest number of scientific, educational, and religious works; possession of essential infrastructures for administration of a diverse range of cultural activities; abundance of renowned scientific, literary, artistic, cultural, and religious figures; and accommodation of well-known sacred venues, and historical monuments and the remains of the ancient civilization of Iran have been some of the criteria in election of the Youth Capital of the World of Islam.

The ceremonies of the second Youth Capital of the World of Islam was held in the city of Shiraz; the hub of literature, culture, and poetry, and the city of the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Ahmad, son of Imam Mousa Kazem (AS), popularly known as “Shah Cheraq”. The ceremony commenced upon hoisting the flag of Islamic Republic of Iran, next to the tomb of prominent Iranian poet, Hafez. In this ceremony, which was convened in the presence of local and provincial officials, and representatives of 57 countries worldwide, the representative of Istanbul’s mayor handed over the key of the Youth Capital of the World of Islam to the city of Shiraz. Shiraz was chosen as the 2017 Youth Capital of the World of Islam, in order to export Iranian-Islamic culture to other countries.

The President of the Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialog and Cooperation, Mr. Elshad Iskandarov, throughout the inaugural ceremony of this meeting pointed out in the current year, ‘our motto is the reinforcement of creativity of youths, because 30% of 1.7 billion Muslims across the world are youngsters.’

He added that the ultimate goal is unification of the Islamic Ummah, while adding that the acclaimed Iranian poet, Sa’adi, in his poems, has put emphasis on this principle. Currently, rifts between Islamic countries have stirred a challenge and ‘we should learn lessons from the history of Islam. By confronting each other we convey the loss of Islamic countries. We always call for moderation among youths’ and the Islamic countries can turn into the hub of global knowledge, and goodness.

Youths are the social asset of communities, and the youths of the world of Islam should, via acquisition of knowledge, take strides for scientific growth, maintenance of sustainable development; and establishment of peace and security in these communities.

Meanwhile, Fars Province Governor-General, Seyed Mohammad Ali Afshani, termed the election of city of Shiraz as the Youth Capital of the World of Islam as a source of honor and said: Shiraz is the city of good deeds, and a host to different beliefs and ideas. As of thousands of years ago, the people of Shiraz believed in peaceful coexistence; and the historical monuments, named Takht-e Jamshid, and Pasargad, are considered as the prime examples of this deep-rooted civilization.

He added that global culture, immigration, lifestyle, occupation, modern technology, cyberspace, a sense of social insecurity, ambiguity of the future, and religious and national beliefs are the topics which youths encounter in the World of Islam.

He believes that election of Shiraz as the Youth Capital of the World of Islam raises an appropriate opportunity for introduction of the cultural, literary, and Islamic assets of Shiraz and reinforcement of the cultural identity of youths of the Islamic world.

Sustainable economic and social growth in communities is tied to development of human resources, and youths are considered to be the most valuable social assets of any given community. Thus, the stage should be set for usage of opportunities to the benefit of youths. Undoubtedly, introduction of the city of Shiraz as the Youth Capital of the World of Islam, in addition to its cultural benefits, can pave the way for introduction of the rich and pure Iranian-Islamic culture via mobilization of the capacities and potentials of the courageous Iranian youths. The presence of thousands of eye-catching historical monuments in the city of Shiraz and Fars Province leads to this region’s huge capacity in the realm of tourism industry.

Youths are the main and most constructive asset for any given community. The active, powerful, and capable youths can change the future of any given community and fulfill the community’s interests.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Minister of Intelligence, Hojjatoleslam Mahmoud Alawi, in an address to this ceremony pointed out that: “We are honored to follow a divine religion which highly respects youths, because youths have pure and transparent souls; have not fallen for the material life’s belongings, are idealists, realistic, and selfless. Youths grow in the light of knowledge and nurture their hidden talents; and thus maintenance of belief in youths is tantamount to usage of a huge part of countries’ assets. The idea of belief in youths was an idea which was brought about into the country by the Architect of the Islamic Revolution, late Imam Khomeini (May his soul rest in peace).”

Furthermore, Iran’s Vice-President for Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Shahin Molaverdi, for her part, pointed out that currently there are more than 300 million youths in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states; promotion of participation of which should be placed on the agenda of governments.

Shiraz is one of the most important touristic, cultural, historical, religious, and natural destinations of the country; and upon election of Shiraz as the Youth Capital of the World of Islam, the ground is laid for cultural cooperation and interaction between Iranian youths and other countries round the world.

MR/ME