The lecture took place on September 25, 2019 as part of an educational program that had been launched on September 14, 2019. It was organized by the Ibn Sina Foundation in assistance with the main institutes and universities of Moscow.

During this 3-hour lecture, prof. Safavi shared with students and teachers of the RUDN University his thoughts on the history of the formation of Islamic mysticism, as well as its features and role in the development of Islamic civilization. Talking about mysticism, prof. Safavi said: “Islamic mysticism answers three basic questions: where we came from, why we came and where we are going.” In addition, he examined various aspects of the Islamic mysticism culture, including Islamic art (in particular, belle-lettres).

The participants had the opportunity to exchange their views and conduct a meaningful discussion.

Professor Seyyed Salman Safavi is the President of the London Academy of Iranian Studies, contemporary writer and Islamic scholar. He studied religious sciences in Isfahan, Najafabad and Qom, received Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Philosophy, defended his doctorate thesis at the University of London. Since 2000, he has been the chief editor of the Journal of Transcendental Philosophy, which has become a platform for academic dialogue between philosophy and mysticism, East and West. Professor Safawi has written numerous works in English, Persian and Arabic. His works have been published in Iran, UK, Egypt, Turkey and the USA. In 2009, he received the Iranian “Book of the Year” award for his research on the composition of “Masnavi” by Jalal ad-Din Rumi.