TEHRAN -- The first volume of the English version of “The Encyclopedia of Islam and Iran, Dynamics of Culture and the Living Civilization”, edited by former Iranian foreign minister Ali-Akbar Velayati, was unveiled at a ceremony in Malaysia on Friday.

The four-volume collection was compiled by a team of Iranian experts under the supervision of Velayati, and the first volume was translated into English by a team of Iranian and Malaysian translators.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, Velayati, and several other Iranian and Malaysian political and cultural figures attended the ceremony at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur.
Prime Minister Abdullah gave a short lecture and said he was happy to see the book had been translated into English. He also thanked Velayati for his efforts to boost relations between the two countries during his term as foreign minister.
Mr. Abdullah said the book beautifully depicts the role of Islam and Iranian scholars in the development of science and technology and explains how Iranian academics have promoted progress throughout history.
Velayati, who is currently the Iranian Supreme Leader’s advisor for international affairs, also expressed his satisfaction over the translation of the book and said that the entire book tries to highlight the role of Iranian scholars in the development of various fields such as mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, and medicine.
Published by MPH Group Publishing Company, the first volume of the encyclopedia will be used as a reference book at Malaysian universities.