For the first time in three decades, Tehran, Iran has displayed posters of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at prominent locations to show solidarity with Pakistan.
The initiative was aimed at supporting the commemorative events organised by the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI), the specialised cultural cooperation agency of the 10-member Economic Cooperation Organization, based in Tehran.
The ECI had arranged events in cooperation with the Urdu Language Student Union of Iran and the Embassy of Pakistan in Tehran, said a statement on Saturday.
In his remarks, Dr Saad S Khan, President of ECI, himself a Pakistani historian-turned-diplomat, who is author of many books on Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, highlighted Jinnah's visionary leadership and his pivotal role in guiding the Muslim community towards freedom and unity.
Dr Khan also quoted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei's praise for Quaid-i-Azam, emphasising his enduring legacy as a leader of faith and determination.
The chief guest, Ismat Hassan Sial, Deputy Head of Mission of Pakistan in Tehran, Seydou Zataou Aly, Ambassador of Niger to Tehran, Deputy head of Tajikistan Mission as well as many scholars, including Dr Zahid Munir Amir, Head of the Pakistan Studies Chair at the University of Tehran, Dr Ali Bayat, Dr Ali Kavousi Nejad, Dr Rashid Naqvi and Hasan Naqvi spoke on the occasion.
The ECI organised essay competitions in Urdu, Turkish and Persian, performances of patriotic songs dedicated to the founder of Pakistan, live sketching of him and the launch of a documentary on the philosophy of Iqbal during the week of celebrations.
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