TEHRAN -- A book examining the role of Shia in the development of the culture and civilization of Islam and Iran has recently been published here in Iran.

Written by Ali-Akbar Velayati, the former Iranian foreign minster, “Role of Shia in Culture and Civilization of Islam and Iran” was unveiled during a ceremony held at Tehran’s Art Bureau on Monday.
Senior advisor of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Velayati penned the book over a period of four years.
Published by Amirkabir Publications affiliated with the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization (IIDO), the book with over 1000 pages contains articles on Shia seminaries, ulema, literati, scholars, artists and philosophers.
Velayati made his remarks on the book at the ceremony attended by a group of cultural and political figures, saying the Shia have been the pioneers of Islamic civilization.
He added that the first university in the history of Islam was founded by Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS) (the sixth Imam of the Shia) where about 4,000 individuals were studying in the presence of Imam.
In this book, the role of Iranian literati in boosting Shi’ism has been stressed, he said, adding that he is currently working on a new book centering on the position of Iranians in Islamic civilization.
IIDO Director Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mehdi Khamushi, also present at the ceremony, emphasized the importance of publishing books defending religious and Shia identity, and said that the organization fully supports these types of publications.
Photo: “Role of Shia in Culture and Civilization of Islam and Iran” author Ali-Akbar Velayati (R) receives a plaque of honor from Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization Director Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mehdi Khamushi after unveiling the book during a ceremony at the Art Bureau in Tehran on December 27, 2010. (Mehr/Ashraf Tabatabaii)