TEHRAN The active presence of women artists at the recently held 8th International Holy Qoran Exhibition, has paved the ground for their increased presence in several artistic fields.

Mina Khajeh-Nouri, speaking at the recent meeting of women artists held on the sideline of the 8th International Holy Qoran Festival, said that in the year 2001 which is named the Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, efforts will be made to facilitate the participation of Iranian female artists in international artistic festivals.

She underlined that some 240 artistic works were presented by female artists at the 8th International Holy Qoran Exhibition, adding that the works were put on display in the youth, children and young adults sections well as the Art Section of the exhibition.

Khajeh-Nouri further reiterated that with regard to women's heavy responsibilities at home, it is difficult for them to work outside their home, adding that with allocation of a particular section to women at the fair, the organizers of the exhibition aimed to pave the way for their massive presence in the exhibition.

In this meeting, it was also decided to publish the theses of female graduates which are about the holy Qoran. Meanwhile, female artists called on the organizers of the exhibition to provide them with more facilities in which to present their work.