In Search of the “Jeem” – No. 2 by Dr. Mohammad Reza Zaeiri

  ✍️ By: Dr. Mohammad Reza ZAEIRI,
Cultural Counselor at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Translated into English by: Dr. Hana Saada  

Dr. Mohammad Reza Zaeiri: A Distinguished Voice in Religious Media and Cultural Diplomacy

Dr. Mohammad Reza Zaeiri is a renowned academic specializing in religious media, Islamic philosophy, and interfaith (Islamic-Christian) dialogue. As a prolific author and eminent literary figure, he has penned over thirty works encompassing literature, translation, creative writing, and narrative arts—several of which have been translated into major foreign languages, including English and French.

With a distinguished media career spanning more than a quarter of a century, Dr. Zaeiri has established an enduring reputation in the journalistic world. He has founded numerous periodicals and magazines and served as editor-in-chief of several prominent newspapers, most notably Hamshahri (¹), the largest Persian-language daily in the world.

His influence extends well beyond journalism. A committed cultural figure, Dr. Zaeiri has made significant contributions to the fields of film and television production. He is also a leading figure in the publishing sector, having established an independent media house that has continuously issued a monthly magazine for the past 23 years.

His most recent intellectual endeavor, “In Search of the Jeem”, marks a new milestone in his ongoing creative exploration. This reflective series, published regularly in Al-Ayam News (Arabic) and jeune-independant.net (French), chronicles his current tenure as Iran’s Cultural Counselor in Algeria. In these writings, Dr. Zaeiri offers a deeply personal and poetic meditation on identity, belonging, and the enduring cultural bonds that unite Iran and Algeria.

Today, Dzair Tube is proud to present the English edition of this compelling series—meticulously translated from both the Arabic and French originals.

Are We Soaring Above the Sky of the Homeland?

Our journey to Algeria had finally begun. As the plane took off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, my mind immediately began to replay scenes from the past—moments steeped in personal and national memory. I vividly recalled the historic speeches of Imam Khomeini during the Islamic Revolution’s triumph over the Shah’s regime.

In those speeches, the Imam urged the Iranian people to draw inspiration from the Algerian Revolution, which he hailed as a shining model of resistance—an indispensable path to liberation and independence from colonial domination. Alongside these memories surfaced images of two prominent Algerian intellectuals, Nait Belkacem⁽⁴⁾ and Ahmed Hamani⁽⁵⁾, seated beside the Imam, symbolizing the profound intellectual and spiritual ties between our nations.

I also remembered the Iranian scholars and religious figures who rallied citizens to support the Algerian mujahideen—morally, financially, and in every possible way. The echoes of celebration in Iranian mosques upon Algeria’s independence still resonate in my ears: “Jazayer Pirouz!”—“Algeria is victorious!” Iran was among the first countries to recognize Algeria’s independence in 1962 and swiftly opened its embassy in Tehran.

This fraternal bond grew even stronger in 1975 under the leadership of the late President Houari Boumediene. The admiration the Iranian people have always shown for Algeria is heartfelt, enduring, and deeply rooted.

As I reflected on this, I found poetic symbolism in our departure—from the airport of one revolutionary leader to the land of another. The ties between Iran and Algeria are not limited to diplomacy—they reflect a shared vision across many global and regional issues, including a firm resistance to all forms of imperialism and hegemony. Both nations remain steadfast in defending Islamic sanctities, particularly the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and in supporting the oppressed Palestinian people.

Yet, despite these historic affinities, one element saddened me: the absence of direct flights between Tehran and Algiers. Though our two nations share great potential for deeper exchange, current air travel requires detours through Dubai, Doha, or Paris. For this journey, we flew with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.

As the plane began its descent, I found myself wondering: what would be my first impression of Algeria? What emotions would flood my heart upon setting foot in this storied land?

Onboard, I observed a young man with a short beard and cropped trousers—pantacourt—engaged in a lively, audible conversation with his seatmate, who laughed and coughed occasionally. The man’s casual demeanor, uncommon for Iranian men, intrigued me. I would later learn that this style of dress is widespread in Algeria—even among the elderly.

As we neared the ground, I leaned toward the window, eager to catch my first glimpse of this beloved land and etch it into memory. Beyond the deep blue of the sea, rooftops, buildings, and distant towers slowly appeared on the horizon. My heart stirred with an unfamiliar sense of connection—as if the lives below were somehow intertwined with my own.

Behind me, a woman whispered to her companion: “We are in the sky of the homeland.” And at that moment, I asked myself: “Homeland… Can I, too, feel a sense of belonging while soaring above Algerian skies?”

Upon arriving at Algiers airport, I discovered I had come two days ahead of my official assignment—driven, perhaps, by the longing to walk the land of martyrs, those who had given their lives to free Algeria from colonialism.

As I stepped out of the terminal, I drew a deep breath of Algeria’s morning air. Every glance I received was warm, every face sincere. I recalled the Arabic line: “Do not ask a man about his virtues—his face bears witness to his truth.”

My gaze rose toward the azure sky, lined with endless rows of palms. And in that quiet, emotional moment, I whispered:

“O Allah… how deeply I love this country.”

Endnotes

1. Hamshahri (in Persian: همشهری) is a major Iranian daily newspaper founded in 1990. The name means “fellow citizen” or “co-dweller” in Persian. It is the largest Persian-language newspaper in the world.

2. Jeem (ج) is the fifth letter of the Arabic alphabet and holds the phonetic value of the “j” sound in English. In this context, it symbolizes the moral and symbolic bridge between the author’s identity and his host country, Algeria.

3. Zaeiri (الزائري) is the author’s surname. When the letter “Jeem” (ج) is added, it becomes Jazaeiri (الجزائري), meaning “Algerian” in Arabic. This clever linguistic play underpins the philosophical theme of identity and belonging that permeates the text.

4. Mouloud Kacem Naît Belkacem, also known as Mouloud Kassim, was an Algerian politician, philosopher, historian, writer, and ideological thinker. He was a staunch advocate of the Arabic language, Islam, and Algerian nationalism.
5. Sheikh Ahmed Hamani was a scholar, freedom fighter (mujahid), and theologian who devoted his life to Islamic sciences and resistance against French colonial rule. Following Algeria’s independence, he played a crucial role in seeking doctrinal foundations and theological constants rooted in Algeria’s own religious identity, aiming to preserve its authenticity and prevent reliance on foreign doctrinal references. The term ulama (also spelled ulemas in French), derives from the Arabic word ‘ulamā’, the plural of ‘ālim (“scholar”). While the term appears in the Holy Qur’an in a general sense, it gradually took on a more technical meaning in Islamic tradition. It denotes a scholar who possesses the foundational knowledge within the Muslim community—namely, the authoritative understanding of the Holy Qur’an and the prophetic traditions (hadith).

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