Iran Daily - Panorama - 08/27/05 - Precious Seirafian Persian Rug on UN Wall

Iran Daily - Panorama - 08/27/05: "Precious Persian Rug on UN Wall


Picture shows the 25 sq.m. carpet hung on a UN Headquarters wall.

One of the world’s most valuable carpets crafted by leading Iranian artist Master Mohammad Sairafian was mounted on the wall of one of the chambers in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, thanks to seven-month efforts of Iran’s mission to the international organization.
The finely-woven carpet, which measures 5x5 square meters and has 200 knots in each centimeter, was presented by Iran’s permanent envoy to the UN, Mohammad Javad Zarif.
The Isfahani craftsman has expended 10 years on this artistic work.
The carpet depicts a couplet by the renowned Iranian poet Saadi which reads, “Human beings are all members of one body. They are created from the same essence.“ An English translation of the poem would also be installed next to the carpet.
In an interview with IRNA, Zarif said that based on a global custom, states dedicate gifts to the UN. “Former Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mosaddeq had also presented a fine carpet to the international body.“
He described the measure as important, “because the walls of all halls and chambers in the UN Headquarters are almost entirely covered by art and tableaus gifted by different member states.“
Iran’s permanent mission to the UN spared no efforts over the last year and finally managed to get the green light for putting the carpet on the wall of a chamber where most diplomats meet and hold their deliberations, Zarif elaborated.
Installment of the carpet, depicting the altruistic couplet by Sadi woven into it by gold-made thread, is a unique success for Iranian culture and art, the official stressed.
Iran’s UN ambassador believes that the measure would help boost the Islamic nation’s peaceful image as a country which initiated ’Dialogue Among Civilizations’.
President Mohammad Khatami proposed to the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in September 2000 to designate the year 2001 as the year of ’Dialogue Among Civilizations’ to foster peace and friendship in the international community."