The development was not unexpected: Dr. Ataollah Mohajerani, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance resigned. Accepting Mohajerani’s resignation, President Khatami immediately appointed him as the head of the International Center for Dialogue among Civilizations and the cultural advisor to the President.
Mohajerani started his political career at the age of 26 when he was elected as the youngest member of the Parliament, representing the people of Tehran in the first Majlis. His appointment as the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance by President Khatami raised the greatest number of opposing votes in the Parliament, but he got a confidence vote and even survived an impeachment motion.
Mohajerani always referred to his unsuccessful impeachment as a “golden opportunity” to defend his policies of reform and tolerance half way through his term. Serving at the crucial post of the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Dr. Mohajerani tolerated 40 months of sharp criticism to become an example of the tolerance that he promoted all along.
Iran’s cultural atmosphere during Dr. Mohajerani’s term was characterized by less state control over the activities of artists, formation of Iranian Journalists’ Syndicate, opening of the Artists’ House, establishment of different centers of culture and art, increased production and circulation of movies, books and the press, and further attraction of tourists. The variety in the press, cinema, art, books are also of recent achievements of the Ministry of Culture.
In a farewell ceremony, the outgoing Minister of Culture pointed to the qualitative and quantitative increase in the cultural and artistic activities in recent years and noted that these developments have been in line with what was expected from President Khatami’s Administration.
Mohajerani didn’t deny the shortcomings in the performance of the Ministry which were natural in running an expansive organization like the Ministry of Culture.
Stating that the cultural policies were irreversible, Mohajerani said, “We are trusted by the nation and our relationship with the nation is based on ‘being grateful to them’.” Former minister of culture concluded that there was a close relation between the Culture Ministry and the International Center for Dialogue among Civilizations.
A man of dialogue and tolerance is taking charge of the International Center for Dialogue among Civilizations. President Mohammad Khatami, himself a former resigning minister of culture and Islamic guidance, made one of the most appropriate moves to bring in the “Year of Dialogue among Civilizations”.