Endowment Organization and Cultural Heritage Ministry Unite to Launch Collaborative Working Group

In a significant move aimed at preserving Iran’s rich cultural heritage, Mehdi Khamoushi, the director of the State Endowment and Charity Affairs Organization, announced the formation of a collaborative working group with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. This initiative is expected to play a vital role in safeguarding and restoring the nation’s sacred sites and historical monuments.

During a recent gathering between the two organizations, Khamoushi emphasized the importance of their partnership in maintaining the Iranian-Islamic identity and revitalizing the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage, as reported by ISNA. He stated, “One of the most important issues is the holy sites, of which there are more than 8,000 scattered throughout the country. Many of these sites are architecturally and historically valuable, and their restoration and reconstruction must be coordinated with the Cultural Heritage Ministry.”

The need for restoration and maintenance of historically significant buildings, such as caravanserais and tombs, was also highlighted. Khamoushi noted that this meeting aims to address challenges in the field and to establish a joint secretariat to oversee previous approvals and agreements.

Key points from Khamoushi’s address include:

• Government support is crucial, but the income generated from holy sites must be effectively managed.
• There is a high volume of operations that require prioritization and enhanced cooperation between agencies.
• The potential for ecotourism and religious tourism at holy sites should be fully utilized.
• Engaging donors, popularizing projects, and holding knowledge-based exhibitions near these sites are essential steps.

Ali Darabi, the Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, also expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with the State Endowment and Charity Affairs Organization. He remarked, “The State Endowment and Charity Affairs Organization has a pivotal role in administering and organizing the holy sites. Each shrine in any part of the country is the center of cultural, social, and religious development of that region and can make a significant contribution to the development of religious tourism.”

Highlighting Iran’s extensive cultural heritage, Darabi mentioned that there are over one million identified monuments throughout the country, with 43,000 officially registered. He remarked, “Our country is rightfully a paradise for archaeologists,” drawing attention to a remarkable 63,000-year-old prehistoric site discovered in Khorramabad, Lorestan province.

Darabi continued, stating, “Currently, we have more than 8,000 certified holy monuments and 14,000 registered historical monuments, of which about 2,000 are in the possession of the Cultural Heritage Ministry.” He emphasized the need for prioritizing restoration projects in collaboration with endowment organizations, especially given the limited financial resources available.

Moreover, he indicated that approximately 50 mosques are eligible for world registration, with most being endowments, and urged for activation of these capacities to enhance religious tourism. Currently, there are 800 museums across the country, with the goal of reaching a thousand in the near future.

During the event, Hojatoleslam Gholamreza Adel, the deputy head of the Endowment Organization, reported on the achievements of the joint working group over the past two years. He noted that “about 50 administrative problems in the provinces have been resolved so far, and new programs with specific priorities are on the agenda.”

In a video conference, provincial directors reported on the progress of cooperation between endowments and cultural heritage organizations. Hojatoleslam Reza Sadeghi, head of Yazd Endowments Department, emphasized the importance of ensuring that changes around heritage sites create added value for the endowments. He pointed out that approximately 10 percent of dilapidated houses in Yazd are endowments in need of restoration.

Mohammad Rastegari, head of Yazd Cultural Heritage Department, echoed this sentiment, noting that many provinces have signed joint memorandums of understanding to protect endowment buildings and have initiated handicraft markets in collaboration with endowments.

Additionally, Hojatoleslam Mostafa Majidi, head of Qazvin Endowments Department, announced the launch of a large tourism town project covering an area of 500 hectares, which he described as one of the largest tourism projects in the country. Hojatoleslam Mehdi Hosseini, head of Qazvin Cultural Heritage Department, mentioned that a joint memorandum of understanding has been drafted in 13 clauses, highlighting effective cooperation in the restoration of holy sites and joint projects.

In Isfahan, the head of the Endowments Department announced the signing of contracts for the restoration of caravanserais and historical mosques, despite a reduction in government funding. Amir Karamzadeh, head of Isfahan Cultural Heritage Department, emphasized the necessity of securing funds for the restoration of Isfahan Bazaar and endowments, pointing out that many endowments lack sufficient income and require government assistance.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration between the Endowment Organization and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. They emphasized the establishment of a joint national secretariat and the prioritization of restoration projects, with the ultimate goal of preserving Iran’s historical and religious identity, promoting religious and cultural tourism, and leveraging the potential of endowments for the economic and social prosperity of the provinces.