Aligarh: The Department of Persian, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), successfully concluded a five-day Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) Course on “An Understanding of the Dimensions of Persian Literature in India,” sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The programme provided a comprehensive academic platform for students, scholars, and faculty to explore the historical, cultural, and literary dimensions of Persian literature.
The course opened with an inaugural session presided over by AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Naima Khatoon. Prof. Mazhar Asif, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, attended as Chief Guest and spoke on the global importance of Persian language and literature. Other dignitaries present included Prof. T. N. Sateesan, Dean, Faculty of Arts, AMU; Prof. Mohammad Kazem Kehdoui, renowned scholar from Yazd University, Iran (Resource Person); Prof. M. Jahangeer Warsi, Local GIAN Coordinator; Prof. S.M. Asad Ali Khurshid, Senior Professor of Persian; and Prof. Mohammad Usman Ghani, Chairman, Department of Persian.
The academic heart of the course was enriched by the scholarly contributions of Prof. Mohammad Kazem Kehdouei. His lectures and interactive sessions covered diverse themes ranging from classical Persian poetry and prose to Sufi literature, linguistic styles, and the influence of Persian on Indian culture. Prof. Kehdouei described learners as “flowers in the garden of knowledge,” underscoring the transformative power of education.
Participants engaged in extensive discussions, collaborative exercises, and paper presentations, creating a vibrant atmosphere of intellectual exchange. The sessions also introduced contemporary research methodologies and interpretive frameworks, enabling deeper exploration of Indo-Persian literary traditions and their continuing relevance.
The valedictory function highlighted the scholarly achievements of the programme. Prof. Azarmi Dukht Safavi, Advisor, Institute of Persian Research, served as Chief Guest, while Prof. Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Officiating Dean, Faculty of Arts, AMU, was the Guest of Honour, and Prof. Rana Khursheed, former Chairperson of the Department of Persian, attended as Special Guest.
The event also recognised the contributions of Prof. M.J. Warsi, and the foreign expert, Prof. Mohammad Kazem Kehdouei from Yazd University, Iran, whose lectures and interactive sessions provided participants with in-depth understanding of Indo-Persian literary traditions.
Faculty members including Prof. S.M. Asad Ali Khurshid, Prof. Mohammad Usman Ghani, Dr. Mohd Qaisar, Dr. Qamar Alam, Dr. Ahmad Naved Yasir, Dr. Ehteshamuddin, Dr. Fozia Waheed, and Dr. Hina Ishaq played a vital role in organizing the programme and mentoring participants. Scholars and students also actively presented papers and engaged in collaborative discussions, creating a dynamic environment of learning and debate.
The GIAN course reaffirmed the Department of Persian’s historic role, dating back to 1877, in preserving and expanding the Indo-Persian legacy, while connecting its students and scholars to global academic networks.
