Mohammad Mossadegh
Internet survey
The highest votes (42%) in The Iranian survey went to the late Prime
Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, leaving little doubt who the general public
considers the most significant personality of the 20th century. See comments
from voters below. Also see photo feature on Mossadegh here.
Back to the Iranian of the century main
index.
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All at once
* For showing that it is possible to be modern, democratic and Iranian
all at once. A. Sardar
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I remember
* I remember how proud the Iranians were for nationalizing the Anglo-Iranian
oil company under the leadership of Dr. Mossaddegh. In a plebiscite the
majority sided with Dr. Mossaddegh and condemned Mohammad Reza Shah's policies
and unconstitutional actions. I remember how much we loved Dr. Mossaddegh
and appreciated his efforts on behalf of all of us . We went in front of
the Majlis to protest the Shah's unconstitutional actions against Dr. Mossaddegh
in spite of threats against our lives. I remember when two of our fellow
students lost their lives due to penetration of bayonets through their
skulls. This was done by the order of the Shah and his cronies. I remember
how angry we became and would not leave. I remeber when the Shah fled due
to the heroic actions of Dr. Mossaddegh and his fellow citizens. I remember
when the American CIA toppled the government of Dr. Mossaddegh by a coup
d'etat. Then the Shah returned, jailed, tortured and killed many dissidents
through agents who were trained by the CIA and the Israeli Mossad. Unfortunately,
we were caught offguard or else we would have organized and fought them
the same way we made the Shah flee by using non-violent means. But alas
the U.S. changed Iran's course of history from democracy to dictatorship.
Because Dr. Mossaddegh let us taste democracy, albeit only for a brief
period, and went to jail instead of succumbing to the Shah and his allies,
I nominate him for the title of the Iranian of the century. Parviz
N. Soltanpour
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Louder than words
* He was one of the few who seemed to truly care about the PEOPLE of
Iran and not a particular political party or sect. His actions spoke louder
than words and the people listened. S.
Sadeghi
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Giving us control
* The only reason Iran has whatever little it has today is Dr. Mossadegh.
He is responsible for getting us what truly belongs to the people of Iran.
Getting us the ultimate control of our natural resources. Payman
Khanlari
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Did not sell-out
* He is and was the only Iranian politician in recent history who loved
his country and his people after the Constitutional revoluion. Mossadegh
did not sell his country to England like Reza Shah and like his son to
the U.S. and like Khomeini to so-called God or Heaven or like Kianouri
to Big Brother [Soviet Union] or like Masoud Rajavi to Iraq. Massey
Alamdari
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Laid the ground
* Although, it could be argued that the late Ayatollah Khomeini has
had the most impact on the lives of every Iranian today, my choice on the
"Iranian of the century" falls for Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh. I
believe that his unrivaled persistence, and success in nationalizing the
Iranian oil industry laid the ground for the subsequent political and economical
course of the nation. It was, after all, because of the results of his
efforts that the late Shah was able to take lead OPEC and bring the "golden"
years to the economy of Iran -- the years that forced too many indigestible
cultural changes (without political reforms), finally leading to dissatisfaction
and choice for the extreme option: a revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
Dr. Mossadegh's impression on the lives of us Iranians living abroad may
at first not be so apparent; but considered carefully, it may be agreed
that we are mostly the youths of those "golden" years who left
the country in order to study abroad. Had Iran not had the oil industry
in her possession, you and I would probably be experiencing a different
fate. God bless his soul. Massoud
Novin Farahbakhsh
Dark century
* This was a dark century in Iranian history. We achieved nothing, begun
the century under ruthless Qajars and ended off with the self-centerd mollas.The
only highlight of this sad century should be Mossadegh's fight against
the Shah and the British. No one else even deserves mentioning. Alex
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Continuation
* He was a true patriot who loved Iran with passion and was not scared
to fight British imperialism and nationalize the Iranian oil industry.
This action had a profound influence on all Iranians who were humiliated
by the foreign forces for centuries. He gave them their pride back. The
Iranian revolution 20 years ago, regardless of the result, was a continuation
of Mossadegh's fight against the powers who continud to humiliate this
great nation. parikm@earthlink.net
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Defeated colonialism
* Because he was the only one in the Iranian century that defeated colonialism
without violence. Hasheminia
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Biggest patriot
* He was by far the biggest Iranian patriot of all the politicians we
have ever had and did for the country what no one ever did for Iran. Javid V.
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Visionary
* From where I sit, it is not easy to come up with anyone who is truly
outstanding. Be that as it may, my pick would be Mossadegh, because he
was honest, brave, unselfish, and had a vision for the country which went
beyond the politics of the time and the unfortunate outside forces. Parviz Pirooz
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Did the most
* He did more for Iran during his short-lived service that any other
individual during their lifetime. Reza
Mirkhani
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What he started
* Dr. Mossadegh showed that by patriotic and humane values even the
most evil of empries and their lackeys can be defeated. It was, however,
a pitty that the Iranian people did not get the chance to enjoy their victory
for long since a group of traitors who received orders from foreign powers
sold the prosperity and the well-being of a nation for pitiful personal
gain and all in the name of patriotism and loyalty to the pupprt monarchy.
Mossadegh will always be remembered as a hero and his enemies will always
have the curse of a nation upon their name. I have no doubt that one day
what he started will eventually bear fruit and the Iranian people would
not be the victims of any traitor or murderous mollas. Mehrdad
Pishehgar
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Really for people
* Because he was the only Iranian prime minister (leader) chosen by
the people, and he was the only ruling leader who really thought of people's
interests before his own. Mahmood
Amiry-Moghadam
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Paved the way
* Paved the way for any future thoughts and movements for independence
and freedom in Iran. Abbas Hessabi
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Made us proud
* I can not think of any other man in recent history of Iran who has
a place comparable to this unique man. Even though his efforts were not
completely successful and never freed Iran from her enemies and dark forces,
he made every Iranian proud. He was a man like Allende of Chile -- both
were victims of their affections and fairness towards their enemies. Reza Oskouie
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Democratic, educated, humble
* Mossadegh was democratic, educated, humble, and hard working with
a genuine interest in Iran and its future. Kevin
Khadivi
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First nationalist
* He was the first true nationalist in the 20th Century who believed
enough in the Iranian people to try to go the independent route (separate
from the superpwers). Mark Amin
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Believed in people
* Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh fwas the first and only Iranian leader to belive
in the people and their ability to make political decisions that would
affect their lives. Before and after Dr. Mossadegh our ruling officials
have always considered the public to be politically immature and have determined
that they know what is best for the people. From kings to today's supreme
leaders, our leaders have always acted like qayyems (guardians). Mohamad Dilmagani
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Democratic-minded
* The Iranian of the century should be a person, who contributed the
most to progress and the national well being of the people. Unfortunately
due to a long history of autocratic and relegious dictatorship there are
very few that could become a candidate for the Iranian of the century.
But I think Dr. Mossadegh would be the best. Mr. Mossadegh was a nationalist
and a democratic-minded person who mobilized the people without appealling
to the feudal and extremely backward Islamic sentiments of the masses.
He was an educated man, who was aware of the stupefying and suffocating
effect of the Islamic Shia teachings on the masses. So, in a country gripped
with horrifying religious backwardness, Mossadegh fought against the biggest
world power of the time, Britain, and nationalized the Iranian oil industry.
Just comparing what Mossadegh achieved in a couple of years with what the
Islamic regime has done in 20 years, makes Mossadegh the best candidate
as an Iranian of the century. Engscience@aol.com
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Influenced many generations
* Mossadegh has influenced many generations of Iranians and his ideals
of democracy and independence are still insiring the new generation. Dana Jalali
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Challenged colonialists
* One of the first -- if not the first -- Third World leaders to challenge
the legitimacy of the rights and contracts of colonial powers. Sia Vossoughi
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Man who said no
* I believe without any doubt, the title of the Iranian of the century
should go to Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh. He was the man who said no to British
and American imperialism, he was an inspiration not only to the Iranian
masses but also throughout the Middle East. I was not born at the time
of the CIA-sponsored coup against this great man but reading about him
and talking to his friends and enemies, I came to the conclusion that Mossadegh
lived and died for Iran. Kamran
Mofrad
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Fought for Iran
* Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh was a true Iranian nationalist who was highly
educated at a time when not too many people were, and he fought for Iran
in different fronts all his life. His famous defense of Iran in the international
court at The Haig is something that every Iranian must be proud of. Mohammad Dehghanpisheh
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Most influencial
* Mossadegh is the first and the most influencial politician in the
process of democratization of Iran. He is the most remembered person in
Iranian minds. Sourena Mohammadi
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Man of the year
* The man who "Oiled the Wheels of Chaos" (as Time Magazine
stated when he made Man of the Year!): Dr. Mossadegh. Niloofar
Nouri
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True revolutionary
* Because he was the only man who had the interest of the Iranian people
in mind and nothing else in whatever he did. He was the true revolutionary.
Hamid Musavi
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Limited Shah's powers
* The true Iranian of the century was Dr. Mossadegh who made the nationalization
of oil possible. Among his other great efforts was the limitation of the
Shah's power and return to constitutional monarchy. Amin
Ashrafzadeh
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Never appreciated
* We Iranians have never appreciated the people who wanted to do the
right thing for Iran. We have always forgotten who we are and where we
are going. this is why we are where we are today. Tina
Abnoosi
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Embodies aspirations
* Dr. Mossadegh embodies the genuine aspirations of the Iranian people
for progress, justice and democracy. The struggle to achieve these justified
goals has so deeply traumatized the history of Iran during the last one
hundred years. His ideals, which are still overdue to be implemented in
the Iran of today, were rooted in the Iranian psyche, which is a mixture
of care for humanity, social justice and peace for all mankind. These aims
were also the slogans of the "Islamic Revolution", even though
we all know how religious hypocrisy and acting against the Iranian nationalism
can inflict so much harm to an ancient nation in a decade or so. I believe
Mossadegh's name is etched on the mind of his supporters and opponents
alike. The former should continue to teach their children who he was and
what he stood for and work hard to realize his dreams, the latter must
recognize the fact that the Iranian patriots are a formidable force and
should avoid locking horns with them. Ahmad
Vahdat-Khah
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Modern values
* He represents all the cultural and traditional values we should endeavor
to preserve, whilst teaching us the modern values we require to learn for
surviving the coming era. Vahid Pourghadiri
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Despite failings
* Although he had failings as a politician and some of those failings
caused his demise, he was a true patriot and a great example of type of
a man all Iranians aspire to. Behrooz
Ataee
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Despite failings
* He is the one man who made a real difference in the iranian politics,
a man who presents the secular, national and liberal views in a country
where the domination of dictatorship and religion has had a long history.
Jay Khodayari
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Not a fanatic
* 1: Mossadegh placed Iran's name on the pages of history one more time.
2: He was the first representative of a new wave of patriots and nationalists
followed by Naser of Egypt and Palestinian movements, etc. 3: He was an
independent thinker who could struggle against corruption of rightist elites
without being trapped in leftist dogmatism of the time. 4: Despite the
atmosphere of his time, he did not fall into trap of fanaticism to justify
his anti-imperialistic thoughts and independence. 5: He was a humanist
as well as a politician. 6: He helped increase political awareness beyond
the semi-religious cultural awakening of the constitutional movement. 7:
Ironically, he was a pragmatist who did the most unpragmatic thing: to
struggle against the most powerful force of his time -- British imperialism
-- relying on a minority of intellectuals. It was a true heroic task. Forouza Pourki
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Standing up
* For standing up for Iranian constitution and democracy. RushingBy@aol.com
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Underestimaged powers
* No politician is perfect, and Dr. Mossadegh was no exception. However
his only mistake was to underestimate the power of foreign governments
in shaping events in Iran. If Iran ever had a true politician, Mossadegh
was the one. He could have been the father of a modern Iran, a country
which would have been well out of the Third World league by now. Mosasdegh
was a perfect nationalist, yet also a visionary. In a nation among where
the heart has always ruled the head, Mossadegh had a cool head -- a tactician
of the type Iran has not seen since. Ahmad
Sadjadian
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Fighter
* For his integral part in nationalizing Iranian oil, fighting for Iranian
independence, freedom and democracy. Bahman
Towfighi
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Peaceful resistance
* Through his peaceful resistance and Ghandi-like revolution, Dr. Mossadegh
took a stand for Iran's nationality, economic stability, freedom and democracy.
Mossadegh without shedding a drop of blood, kept the multi-ethnic region
in peace and united as Iran. He stood up against British petroluem conglomerates
and took back Iran's vast oil reserves out of British control and nationalized
it. Not only cutting out the British agents, but protecting it from the
intrusion of the ruling class and other special interest groups. He stood
his ground for a democratic system of government and furthered the cause
of people electing their own representatives. When the end came, he urged
everybody not to get involved in the fever of violence, or to take sides
and shed blood. He stood strong through his mock trial and used that tribune
to inform, educate, and change the face of politics, and governship in
Iran forever. Ali Chegini
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Decide for ourselves
* A true Iranian who believed in us as people who can decide for ourselves.
God bless his soul. Mani V.
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Only democracy
* Mossadegh's government was the only attempt at democracy in Iran during
the century and over the entire history of the country. Montirama@aol.com
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Leadership
* Because of his successful and peaceful leadership of Iranians toward
the freedom. Farhad
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Effects still felt
* I was not alive when Iranian oil was nationalized. But the effects
of his moves were felt by me and are still felt by Iranians and non-Iranians.
Because of him, I believe, for the first time a Third World country asked
for fair compensation of its natural resources. Amin
Pashapour
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Great man
* He was a great man who started a sacred struggle against imperialism.
Mahmoud Reza Zare
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Devotion
* For his undying devotion to the ideals of the Iranian nation, and
his single mindedness in holding those ideals above all other considerations.
Roohash Shaad. Tony Noroozi
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Hero
* He was a national hero that kicked British out of Iran. Abadani
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No doubt
* I believe the Iranian of the century, without the slightest doubt
(so much so that the runner up does not even come close) is Dr. Mohammad
Mossadegh. I would like to summarise the reason by the following quotation:
"To the memory of Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh; for his development of a
genuinely Iranian concept of democracy, and his lifelong struggle for its
realisation." Credits for this quotation goes to Dr. Homa Katouzian
who has, with the above line dedicated his book (The Political Economy
of Modern Iran) to Dr. Mossadegh. Roozbeh
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Absolute democracy
* Because of the "khal-e yad" and the fact that he was the
only politician who came to power in Iran in the past two hundered years
and believed in absolute democracy. Amir
Pooya
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Consistency
* He stood up for the Democracy and independence of Iran. His most significant
character was consistancy in his political beliefs. Hooman
Beygi
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Magnificient vision
* For his magnificient vision and long history of struggle for freedom
and independence of Iran. Foad Adib
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Never forget
* What he did had the greatest influence on our country, and we will
never forget his efforts to nationalize the oil industry in Iran. Amir Mahmoudkhani
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Honorable life
* Far ahead of his time, he demanded that Iran's oil belong to Iran
and not the British or Americans. He led a honorable life that should be
an example to all Iranians (especially the ones born into wealth). His
ousting was the watershed moment of recent world history because it signified
America as the world's most powerful nation over England. Mazda
Aghamohammadi
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Untiring efforts
* My choice for the Iranian of the century is Dr. Mohammad Mosaddegh,
because of his untiring efforts which led to the nationalization of the
oil industry of Iran. Emilia Nazari
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Independence
* He desired independence and true sovereignty for his homeland and
put Iran foremost. Ardavan Moini
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Unswerving
* Because he stood for democracy, national independence and social justice
and was unswerving in his fight for these principles. Enayat
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Look around
* My choice for the Iranian of the century is: Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh.
Why? - Just take a look around you! Hussein
Banai
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Impact
* Because of his impact on Iran for the last 50 years and his roots
in first 50 years of the century. Alireza
Shieh
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