The Conference on the Iranian Identity, held in Tehran from the 5th to the 7th of December 2006, brought together Iranian thinkers, scholars and the cultural elite from both inside Iran and abroad including delegates from Northern America, Europe, Asia and Australia.  The major topics covered included ‘The Iranian Identity and the Challenges faced by Iranian Expatriates’, ‘The Impact of Globalization on the Identity of the Iranian Overseas Community’ and ‘Strengthening the Iranian Identity: Solutions’.

Sheikha Fatima Fleur Nassery Bonnin from the Australian Centre for Sufism and Irfanic Studies spoke from her perspective as both a Clinical Psychologist and as a teacher of Irfanic Islam in the West.  She highlighted the importance of Iran’s custodial role as the holders of a rich treasury of Irfanic literature.  She emphasised  how the effects of the teachings of Irfan within Persian literature and poetry, which on the subject of Divine love and Ma’refat has no parallel in the world, can deliver its message to the heart and soul of the people, Iranian and non Iranian, who are searching for meaning.