Sunni influencer recalls shattered stereotypes during visit to Imam Reza Shrine

An African media activist expresses how his perception of Iran was transformed from negative stereotypes to witnessing a profound civilization during a tour of the Imam Reza Shrine's museum collections.

Organized under the auspices of the senior management of the Imam Reza Shrine and Publicity Department of Astan Qods Razavi (AQR), a delegation of international media activists participating in the Islamic Unity Conference toured the shrine’s museum collections. The group visited both the Museum of the martyred Leader’s Gifts and the Carpet Museum, located within the holy precinct.
Abdolhossein Malek-Jafarian, head of the AQR’s Museum Treasure Department, welcomed the guests and highlighted the significance of the collections.
He explained that more than 350 exquisite data-x-items gifted to the martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, are currently exhibited across 1,000 square meters.
“The total collection of gifts dedicated to the martyred Leader reaches approximately 2,000 pieces, all of which are meticulously preserved in the AQR treasury”, he noted.
Turning to the Carpet Museum, Malek-Jafarian introduced the extensive collection of over 700 exquisite pieces.
“Due to space limitations, only 105 are on display, while the remainder are kept in climate-controlled storage to maintain ideal temperature, humidity, and light conditions”, he said.
He emphasized that the carpets are displayed on high-quality steel structures and protected by muslin fabric, ensuring their preservation for the long term.
Head of the AQR’s Museum Treasure Department further remarked: “Iran is the global cradle of carpet weaving, with each region demonstrating unique artistic styles. The museum’s layout was intentionally designed to reflect this diversity, with specific areas dedicated to the weaving traditions of different provinces across the country”.
On the sidelines of the visit, Danny Scopio, a media activist representing a significant segment of African society, shared his reflections on the experience, noting: “My visit was motivated by the transformative influence of Islamic currents in recent history”.
Scopio stated: "I am transmitting a beautiful image to the African community, showing that Mashhad (northeast Iran) is not merely a city of pilgrimage with millions of visitors, but a home to a profound, hidden civilization."
Addressing his previous perceptions, Scopio added: "From childhood, I had an image of Iran as a very impoverished country where everyone was a terrorist or a defender of terrorism. This visit has completely transformed that image."