Development of Mystical Tourism, Introduction of Celebrities, and Promotion of Semnan Province's Handicrafts is a Strategy for Provincial Development

According to Mirath Arya, Ayatollah Seyyed Mostafa Mohaqqeq Damad stated in a meeting with the Director-General and deputies of the specialized departments of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, with this prominent professor of law and philosophy and a full member of the Academy of Sciences of Iran, that introducing the mystical capacities of Semnan Province, with its great and globally recognized mystics such as Bayazid Bastami, Sheikh Abol Hassan Kharqani, Alaa' al-Dawlah Simnani, and others, not only paves the way for introducing the province and attracting tourists but also provides the ground for the province's economic prosperity through the presence of tourists. The presence of domestic and foreign tourists also heralds an increase in the sales of the province's handicrafts. This jurist and university professor, and member of the board of trustees and scientific assemblies of several universities and scientific centers in the country, referring to the studies conducted by him in the field of mysticism and prominent figures of Semnan Province, added that many researchers and enthusiasts in various countries have conducted significant research on the mystics of Semnan Province. Introducing these scholars and mystics more than ever can, while attracting the attention of everyone, especially the youth, to the province's identity and cultural roots, provide the ground for increasing research in this field. Ayatollah Mohaqqeq Damad called for holding a scientific conference on introducing the celebrities and mystics of the province and stated that the scientific study and examination of the aspects of the mystics' lives, as well as the creation of a database of the province's living celebrities, should be considered. The faculty member of the Academy of Sciences of Iran further stated that art is paramount today, and artists should be proud of themselves for their activities in this field and for possessing a unique artistic and manual skill. This professor of Islamic philosophy, emphasizing the promotion of handicrafts, especially among women, noted that all branches of art are valuable, and women, by engaging in this field, can play a role in supporting the family economy, in addition to preserving cultural and indigenous identity. In response to the invitation of the Provincial Director-General to visit the capacities of the province's cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts, Ayatollah Mohaqqeq Damad said that he is interested in visiting the unique capacities of the province, including deserts, forests, castles, caravanserais, and handicrafts and indigenous arts such as pottery and ceramics, needlework, towel weaving, and isthmus. He will travel to the province and his hometown in the near future with Professor A'vani, a full member of the Academy of Sciences of Iran. The head of the Islamic Studies Department of the Academy of Sciences, referring to the book 'Theology of the Environment' authored by him, stated that the separation of man and his independence from his ecosystem and separation from the divine environment is the source of today's global environmental crisis, and that sustainable tourism development, considering the environment and adhering to environmental principles, is of great importance. Subsequently, Jalal Tajik, the Director-General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Semnan Province, in this meeting, while appreciating the opportunity provided for meeting this esteemed scholar and benefiting from his guidance, stated that more than 4,500 artists are active in 52 handicraft fields in the province, and various support programs have been considered for these artists. The Director-General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Semnan Province elaborated on the historical and natural attractions, environmental diversity, unique climate, and tourism opportunities of Semnan Province, saying that this province is the birthplace of great figures such as Bayazid Bastami, Abol Hassan Kharqani, a renowned mystic and pioneer of attention to humanitarianism and human dignity, Alaa' al-Dawlah Simnani, a people-loving mystic with students even in India, Hakim Ilahi Simnani, and poets such as Manouchehri Damghani, Ibn Yamin Faryumadi, Ref'at Simnani, and Foroughi Bastami. The tombs of all these great figures in various parts of the province are a refuge and sanctuary for lovers of mysticism, culture, and the history of Iran. While inviting Ayatollah Mohaqqeq Damad to visit the province, he elaborated on the historical and natural attractions, environmental diversity, unique climate, and tourism opportunities of Semnan Province and added that holding a conference to introduce the mystics and celebrities of the province, efforts to achieve the world registration of Qaleh Bala, hosting the national handicrafts exhibition for the second consecutive year, holding handicraft training courses, etc., are among the programs of this General Directorate. The deputies of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Semnan Province also elaborated on the programs of the General Directorate in the three areas of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts during the meeting.