The opening of the Shams Tabrizi shrine in Khoy, as an important cultural event, will mark the beginning of a new path for the development of cultural and mystical tourism in West Azerbaijan. Reza Rahmani, the governor of West Azerbaijan, stated: "This is the beginning of the road." He emphasized that after the opening of the shrine, research and specialized cultural tourism groups should pay more attention to this region.
Infrastructure Development and Increasing Tourists
Reza Rahmani stressed the importance of planning to increase the presence of domestic and foreign tourists and added: "Measures must be taken to increase the presence of tourists from all over the world." He also mentioned the construction of new hotels and the improvement of access infrastructure to the Shams shrine, saying: "The day after the opening of the Shams Tabrizi shrine, a 4-star hotel will be inaugurated, and a 5-star hotel is also under construction."
Read more: Milad Tower Celebrates Its Birthday with Citizens
The governor of West Azerbaijan also emphasized the connection of the Shams shrine to other tourism capacities in Khoy, including historical and cultural sites, stating: "All these places, like Pouriya Vali, should be connected; that is, a series of actions must be put together."
Cultural and Economic Capacities of Shams Tabrizi
Rahmani described the capacity of the Shams shrine as both economic and cultural, adding: "It has unique economic potential as well as cultural. This is a combined effort, and they can cover each other." He also referred to the historical connection of Shams with Tabriz, Khoy, and Konya, saying: "Tabriz is the birthplace of Shams, Shams went to Konya and created transformations in Rumi, and then settled here."
This historical connection is seen as a capacity for the formation of a cultural corridor, and Rahmani emphasized that more research is needed to better understand this path. He also pointed out the necessity of further study regarding the history of Azerbaijan and its great figures, stating: "We have many scholars, poets, mystics, and jurists."
Rahmani viewed the opening of the Shams Tabrizi shrine as a turning point for the development of cultural and mystical tourism in this region and emphasized that this complex should not be neglected after its opening. He stressed the need for research, tourism, and infrastructure development programs to turn this shrine into an active cultural base.
The governor of West Azerbaijan, referring to the cultural background of the region and its scientific and religious figures, considered Khoy to have extensive cultural capacities and stated: "Khoy has had the Grand Ayatollah Khoei in contemporary times." He emphasized that such a background can be more focused on in cultural and tourism interactions.
Finally, Rahmani emphasized the necessity of looking beyond a single building at the Shams shrine; a perspective in which research, cultural tourism, accommodation infrastructure, and the connection between the historical capacities of Khoy and the path of Shams from Tabriz to Konya are placed together.
The Shams Tabrizi shrine, due to meeting the criteria for registration 6 and 10, was registered as number 34594 in the national heritage list of Iran on October 3, 2026, and will be inaugurated on Wednesday, October 15.
Read more: Press Conference of the Film "I Am Not a Needle" and Challenges in Communicating with Child Audiences · Furough Farrokhzad's Parental Home Will Be Operational in Winter
