Iran marks Persian poet Attar of Nishabur

Iran holds the National Commemoration Day for internationally-recognized and world-famous Persian poet Attar of Nishabur.

Several honoring ceremonies were held for the Iranian poet across the country on Friday with the attendees such as university professors and other prominent figures describing Attar as a poet who “raised mystical poetry to the zenith.”

Well-know Iranian poet Attar of Nishabur had an immense and lasting influence on Persian poetry. His works, including quatrains of great Sufi master poet have been translated to many languages across the globe.

Born in the 12th century, he was one of the most prolific authors among his contemporaries. His masterpiece is 'The conference of the Birds' which is the story of birds which went on a journey to find their spiritual leader (Simorgh). They passed seven valleys of love and finally lost their individual selves in the sea of Simorgh existence.

Here are samples from his poetry:

All things are but masks at God's beck and call,
They are symbols that instruct us that God is all.

He who would know the secret of both worlds,
Will find the secret of them both, is Love.

AG/AG