Beyond Conquest: The Persian Influence on Arabic Script, Language & Science

Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Spicewood Springs Branch Library, Room #1

Speaker: Nastaran Kherad, PhD in the Middle Eastern Studies

Join us for a fascinating and eye-opening lecture exploring the often-overlooked influence of Iran on one of the world’s most widespread writing systems.

In this talk, Dr. Nastaran Kherad reveals Iran’s decisive role in the development of the scripts we commonly—but mistakenly—referred to as the "Arabic script." Through the contributions of Persian scholars, calligraphers, and administrators, the script was not merely adopted but profoundly refined. This transformation elevated the writing system inherited from Aramaic into a sophisticated medium for literature, science, governance, and cultural expression.

Far from being passive users, Persians were the visionaries who gave the script its elegance, structure, and longevity—qualities that enabled it to flourish across vast empires.

You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of Iran’s true legacy and a renewed pride for its contributions to global civilization. Discover how a writing system shaped by Persian minds became an enduring cultural treasure misattributed to others.

Admission is free, but space is limited—reserve your spot today!

About the Speaker:

Dr. Nastaran Kherad, Associate Professor and interdisciplinary scholar, holds a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies (UT Austin) and an MA in Comparative Literature (CSU Long Beach). Her research explores Persian literature, gendered narratives, migration, and diasporic identity. An award-winning author and translator, she is known for The House of My Bibi (2006), a memoir blending autobiography with cultural critique, and her acclaimed translation of Ahmad Mahmoud’s The Neighbors (2012). Through her scholarship, writing, and translations, she bridges Iranian storytelling with global audiences.

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