Gerishna: The list of professors and scholars attending the celebration of Ahmad Eqtedari’s life-long achievements was no less than an epic catalogue, and that is no less than what he deserves. Dr. Eqtedari’s studies in the fields of ethnic and social histories of south of Iran, especially about Persian Gulf, are monumental scholarly works and are constantly cited and referred to in later researches and discussions about the region. Ahmad Eqtedari is from Gerash.
Professor Baastani Parizi, Dr. Mohaqqeq Damad, Dr. Vosuqi, Dr. Shafiei Kadkani and Mohammad Reza Darvishi were among the many giants of cultural and historical studies in Iran who gathered on 11th of May in Mahmoud Afshar Foundation in Tehran and paid homage to one of their greatest colleagues. A number of his admirers from Gerash were also present, and Dr. Eqtedari was so kind as to mention them by name in his speech.
He said, with his typical humbleness, that “I find it my duty to do my best for the culture and history of our holy land, Iran. I am proud of it, but I don’t deem it as deserving any praise.” The old scholar could not hide his appreciation for the honor he was receiving, as he thought his mission was complete: “my days are spent, and I announce here that I would like to be buried in my hometown, Gerash, in our ancestral cemetery, where my mother is buried.”
Mahmoud Afshar Foundation is a non-profit organization whose aim is to advance Persian language and strengthen national unity. This was the 21st honorary prize that this Foundation, according to its tradition beginning in 1989, presents annually to accomplished researchers and scholars in those fields.
