Isfahan, 2006/12/05, IRNA

Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Hossein Saffar-Harandi said Monday evening that a culture based on the Quran should be promoted in all areas of society.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Quran contest among police forces in this ancient city in central Iran, the minister said people should change their attitude toward the Quran and make it a part of their daily lives.

He said his ministry plans to establish a new department that would focus on activities to promote Quranic teachings in the cinema, theater, literature and press.

The ministry has allocated of 40 billion rials in the current Iranian year (started March 20, 2006) to make those areas more Quranic oriented, he added.

"If all activities in the fields of cinema, theater, literature and press are based on Quranic teachings, then the rich culture of the Holy Book will cover all aspects of the people's lives," stressed the minister.

He said that taking the path of arts and culture was "risky" but that with the help of Quranic teachings success can bring great benefits.

Saffar-Harandi stressed that his ministry believes it is responsible for making the Quran part of the daily lives the people.

Quran-Culture-Iran