KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Ayatollah Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri, advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran, called on Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, here Wednesday morning, an official statement said. Nouri is also former Speaker of Iranian Parliament.
He was accompanied by Iran’s Ambassador to India, Gholemreza Ansari.
During their meeting, Mufti Sayeed discussed with the Iranian leader several issues of mutual interest, especially those related to culture, heritage, cuisine and handicraft, the statement informed.
He made a special reference of the high quality of Iranian carpets, which have a huge international market.
“The Chief Minister said the Iranian influence on Kashmir’s art and culture has been very strong. He also praised the greatest spiritual leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeni, describing him as an epitome of humanity,” the statement said.
Ayatollah Nategh Nouri praised the unparalleled beauty of Kashmir by quoting from the famous Persian couplet – Agar firdous baroye zameen ast, hami asto, hami asto hami ast” (If there is a paradise on earth, It is here, it is here, it is here). He said for the people of Iran, the special love for Kashmir will continue in future.
He accepted the invitation for a longer visit to Kashmir next time and hoped that the Chief Minister will reciprocate by visiting Iran.
Minister for IT, Youth Services & Sports and Technical Education, Imran Raza Ansari, was also present on the occasion, the statement added.
