Jewish Iranian Lexicographer Commemorated in Tehran

on December 30, 2021 | 8:08:00

Respected literati and government officials have paid tribute to the Jewish Iranian lexicographer, Soleiman Hayyim (1887-1970) at the Mahmud Afshar Foundation, Tehran on Sunday.

Literary figures and senior government officials attended a ceremony organized by Tehran’s Association of Jews in commemoration of Hayyim and for his great services to the Persian language.

Hayyim dedicated almost his entire life to translation and writing dictionaries. He died at the age of 82 in February 1970 in Tehran and is known as the father of bilingual dictionary in Iran.

During the ceremony, Gholamali Haddad Adel, who serves as the director of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, praised Hayyim for his great achievements and endeavors in expanding the Persian language. Haddad Adel indicated that many Iranians of his age started learning English with Haim dictionary.

Mohammad Reza Batebi, a well-known professor of linguistics, said during the ceremony that “what Hayyim did was beyond the power and energy of a man,” reflecting his deep love and affection for the job.

Siamak Meresedq, the representative of the Jewish community in Iran’s Parliament (Majlis), commented on the role of the Persian language in creating solidarity among various ethnic groups in Iran. He said Iranian Jews have hugely contributed to the expansion of the Persian language as a way to facilitate their coexistence with followers of other religions in the country.

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