TEHRAN -- Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada plans to auction off one of the three sculptures by Parviz Tanavoli in his “Standing Poet” series during a sale on February 22 to raise funds for the establishment of an Islamic comparative art and culture department.

A number of other works by Muslim artists from Egypt, Iraq, and several other countries will be on sale in the event, which is to be held on the sidelines of an artistic gathering.

“The Muslim minority is growing, and such an action will be very helpful in introducing the Islamic culture as well as in countering the political propaganda (against Islam),” Tanavoli told the Persian service of ISNA on Friday.

Tavavoli is scheduled to deliver a lecture on the subject “Sculpture and Poetry, Tradition and Modernity” during the gathering.

“Standing Poet”, which the Iranian sculptor had previously donated to SFU, has been given an estimated price tag of 35,000 Canadian dollars.

A mini-concert as well as a play called “Stone” will be performed by Iranian artists during the event.