“Chehel-Cheragh: The Oral History of Forty Years of Cultural and Scientific Activity at the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia”

7/20/2025 10:07

The book “Chehel-Cheragh: The Oral History of Forty Years of Cultural and Scientific Activity at the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia,” compiled by Hamidreza Muhammadi, has been published by the Center for the Great Islamic Encyclopedia (Center for Iranian and Islamic Studies).

CGIE: Kāẓim Mūsavī Bojnurdī, CEO of the Center, writes in the introduction: “It has now been exactly forty years since the idea of establishing an institution for compiling the Great Islamic Encyclopedia became a reality. Not only at that time, but even after a quarter of a century, achieving this great goal still seems out of reach: bringing together prominent scholars, selecting young researchers, organizing and completing a library of this magnitude, and authoring hundreds of research articles in dozens of encyclopedia volumes on various topics is a story that cannot be told in a single book. The cultural and scientific impact of the Center on the production of knowledge and research will become clearer in the future. This influence is seen not only in the compilation of encyclopedias and the creation of a rich library, but also in the training and growth of young scholars under the guidance of renowned masters, whose effects are evident in every volume. Many great scholars have played a key role in building this magnificent institution over forty years, and sadly, many are no longer with us to celebrate its anniversary.”

He adds: “What they said and wrote would have made this collection even more readable and appealing. What is gathered in this book is part of the story of a great scientific organization founded forty years ago, which still has a challenging road ahead. The memories and insights shared by esteemed professors and colleagues are truly ‘a single word from the thousands that could be expressed.’”

Those interested in obtaining the book “Chehel-Cheragh,” in a large-format, 730-page illustrated and full-color volume with 106 pages of photos and documents, published in 500 copies and priced at 42,500,000 Rials, can do so from mid-April 2025 through the following methods:

• Visit the CGIE Bookshop at No. 210, Pūr-Ibtihāj Avenue, Shahīd Bāhonar Square (Nīāvarān), Tehran - Iran
• Order Online at store.cgie.org.ir
• Call +98 21222976-77 and +98 9123931836