“Kariman” was concerned about Tehran!

At the memorial ceremony for the late Hossein Kariman, it was mentioned that he was one of those great figures who expressed concern about the unchecked expansion of Tehran.

According to Cinamadrame, the commemoration of Hossein Kariman, a historian and lexicographer, was held with the presence of professors, researchers, and enthusiasts in the fields of historical research and Tehran studies. The event included the unveiling of a biography and a review of the scientific and cultural contributions of this esteemed late professor. It took place on Tuesday, September 6th, at the Shahid Motahari (RA) Hall of the Society for Cultural and Artistic Heritage.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Mahmoud Shaloui, the president of the Society for Cultural and Artistic Heritage, delivered a speech, stating: “Today’s gathering is held to honor one of the prominent figures and luminaries of Iran, the late Kariman, who throughout his academic life, not only focused on religious sciences but also studied modern sciences at the university, benefiting from both fields simultaneously.”

In another part of his speech, the advisor to the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance pointed out the special attention that Iranian scholars and scientists have paid to the Persian language and literature, saying: “In the past, despite all the injustices against the Persian language and literature, our great figures, with their special attention to the Arabic language, never overlooked the importance and status of Persian. One of these great figures is ‘Akhoyni Bukhari,’ who wrote the earliest medical book in Persian, even before Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh.”

He added: “Today, we honor someone like Hossein Kariman, who, alongside his mastery of Arabic and religious sciences, had an exceptional command of the Persian language.”

Shaloui emphasized: “The late Kariman had a deep interest in geography, as he valued human geography highly. He also engaged in historical research, considering ‘history’ to be an important foundation for the mind and life of a person.”

In conclusion, the president of the Society for Cultural and Artistic Heritage remarked: “The works and writings of the late Kariman are exemplary in both content and style, and they have always been the focus of attention for professors and researchers in Iran.”

Kariman’s Concern About the Unchecked Development of Tehran

During the ceremony, Nasrollah Hadadi, a Tehran scholar and historian, said: “It was through the late Professor Ali Asghar Faqihi that I had the honor of getting to know and learning from Professor Kariman, and this relationship continued until the end of Professor Kariman’s life. I was always able to benefit from his invaluable expertise in Tehran studies and historical research.”

He continued: “As Tehran scholars, we have always criticized the unchecked development of the capital. In the past, the late Professor Abdullah Anvar had also openly expressed his opposition to this uncontrolled expansion to the scholars and officials of the country. Likewise, Professor Kariman was one of those great individuals who, since the 1980s, had expressed his concern over the rapid, unplanned development of Tehran.”

Hadadi concluded by acknowledging the importance and significance of Hossein Kariman’s works and research, saying: “The type of research and studies that Professor Kariman conducted, especially his book History of Ancient Ray, is unparalleled and clearly demonstrates his profound expertise in research and study.”

The Importance of the Book History of Ancient Ray

Dariush Shahbazi, another historian and speaker at the event, shared his thoughts. He said: “Although Professor Kariman is no longer with us today, the scientific works he left behind will always keep his name and memory alive. The late Professor Kariman had vast knowledge and was a distinguished scholar and intellectual. However, the centerpiece of his works is the book History of Ancient Ray.”

He explained further about the book: “Professor Kariman’s History of Ancient Ray is unique in its own right, and perhaps only Fereydoun Adamiyat’s Amir Kabir can be compared to it. One of the notable features of this work is the rich and valuable sources that the professor references in the book, many of which are unique.”

Shahbazi emphasized: “In History of Ancient Ray, Professor Kariman utilized around 507 sources. Therefore, wherever he felt a subject was useful, he incorporated it.”

He concluded: “Kariman exemplifies an exceptional researcher, and his research methods can serve as a standard and model for our researchers.”

The Noble Moral Character of Professor Kariman

Continuing the ceremony, Ahmad Khatami, the former head of the Department of Persian Language and Literature at Shahid Beheshti University, shared some remarks about Professor Kariman’s teaching career at the university. He said: “Professor Kariman was not only a distinguished academic and cultural figure but also possessed high moral and human virtues. His scientific and research precision was admirable, and he was equally noble and virtuous as a person; so much so that he donated his valuable personal library to the university.”

He emphasized: “Certainly, commemorating Professor Hossein Kariman is a tribute to the vast cultural heritage of our beloved Iran.”

Kariman: A Well-Rounded Personality

The final speaker at the ceremony was Seyyed Ahmad Mohit Tabatabai, a Tehran scholar and historian. He said: “Hossein Kariman was a well-rounded personality and one of the prominent figures of the Constitutional Revolution era. Like the scholars and great figures of ancient Iran, he was knowledgeable and prolific in research and writing, and today his works are widely referenced by Iranian scholars and researchers.”

He clarified: “Kariman was one of the distinguished professors at National University (Shahid Beheshti), and alongside his teaching, his research, especially in Tehran studies, is considered standard and influential. Given the breadth of his writings, even indirect students of the late professor are numerous.”

At the end of the ceremony, Shokouh Kariman, the daughter of Professor Hossein Kariman, thanked the management and organizers of the Society for Cultural and Artistic Heritage for holding this scholarly and cultural event.

The event also featured a musical performance with ney playing by artist Zaman Khayari, poetry recitation by the prominent contemporary poet Nasser Feyz, and the presentation of a certificate of appreciation and the golden emblem of the Society for Cultural and Artistic Heritage to the family of Professor Kariman.