Rasa - Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker, Asghar Farhadi says he has decided not to participate in the Oscars ceremony next month in protest at the US President Donald Trump's executive order to restrict entry into the country from the Islamic Republic and six other Muslim states.

Rasa - The holy city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran was officially named the capital of the Islamic culture in 2017 for the Asia region by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).

Rasa - Iranian Culture Minister Reza Salehi Amiri said the country has sent a delegation to Saudi Arabia for negotiations on participation of Iranian pilgrims in this year’s Hajj.

Rasa – Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a senior Shi’ah cleric in Qom, highlighted the importance of promoting Quranic teachings worldwide via the means of art.

Rasa – Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli said, “The medium of cinema serves as the best way to attract audience and promote divine teachings, since it addresses all human perceptions and senses.”

Rasa - Saudi Arabia’s radical top religious authority has slammed government plans for opening cinemas and concerts in the kingdom, saying such places would be harmful and corrupting.

Rasa – Ayatollah‌ ‌Arafi said, “The new wave of population growth in Iran could be effective in other countries as well since it can start a movement in the Muslim world in terms of family planning policies.”

Rasa - An Iranian delegation will travel to Saudi Arabia on February 23 for negotiations on this year's Hajj pilgrimage, an official said.

Rasa - Iran has confirmed receiving an invitation to discuss preparations for the next annual Hajj pilgrimage from Saudi Arabia.

Rasa - The Chaldean Catholic archbishop of Tehran, Ramzi Garmou, has hailed Iran's peace and security amid war and chaos in the Middle East, saying Christians are living safe and secure in the Islamic Republic.