TEHRAN (AFP) — Shiite Islam may be the official religion in Iran, but entering Tehran's brand-new Maryam Moghaddas metro station, you could be forgiven for feeling as if you're stepping inside a Christian church.

Maryam Moghaddas in Persian translates as "Holy Mary." And the station's vaulted and arched concourse, with a dome decorated with Persian motifs, features religious frescoes and artworks honoring Christianity's Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ.

Mary is also a venerated figure in Islam. And she is depicted here in prayer with her eyes closed, a white dove hovering just above her head.

Another artwork, along the platform, depicts her son Jesus Christ, who appears to be watching over passengers as they wait for their train.

The Virgin Mary enjoys universal respect in Iran, and she is a figure seen to be able to foster ties between believers of whatever religion.

Maryam is also one of the most common female names in the country.

"Every single element you see at this station was designed so that when someone passes through here, they understand that our goal was to respect other religions, Christianity in particular," Tina Tarigh Mehr, the artist behind the works, told Agence France-Presse.

"This bird (the white dove) is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and friendship," she said during a tour organized for the press on Saturday, ahead of the station's upcoming public opening.