The International Seminar on Drama and Religion opened at the Iranian Artists Forum in Tehran today. Twenty-one papers discussing the connection between religion and theater will be presented by foreign scholars from nine countries and Iranian academics during the two-day seminar. “This is the first time in the world that a seminar on the theme of religion and theater is being held,” seminar secretary Majid Sarsangi said during the opening ceremony. “With more study, we hope to be able to take great steps in the future in promoting religious culture, particularly the humanistic and religious-based art of performing plays,” he added.Iranian Deputy Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister for Art Affairs Mohammad-Hossein Imani-Khoshkhu also spoke at the opening ceremony, saying, “All fields of art in the world have been established based on a specific ideological system, in which the elevation of mankind is its main aim.” Due to Iran’s long history of civilization and art, the country will be able to develop its art and thought in an arena as large as the world, he said. The “Hurr-e Riahi” tazieh, a passion play telling the story of Yazid’s commander Hurr, who joined the troops of Imam Hussein (AS) on the eve of Ashura, was also performed during the opening ceremony.