Mehrdad Mashayekhi: Perseverance

Mehrdad Mashayekhi: Perseverance
by Fariba Amini
23-Aug-2011
 

Mehrdad Mashayekhi is Mr. Mash. We also call him Mr. Secular!

Born into a notable and learned family (Aryanpour from his mother’s side and Mashayakhi from the father’s side), Mehrdad came to the United States in 1972 and received his PhD from American University in Washington, D.C. at a very young age. Mehrdad has been teaching sociology at different institutions in the Washington area, (among them at Georgetown University) for nearly three decades and has been a mentor to many students, Iranian Americans as well as Americans.  

Mehrdad has also been politically active for as long as we know him. He joined the student movement prior to the Revolution and is a founding member of the Jomhorukhahan Party (Iranians for a Secular Democracy).

His written work combines scholarship with activism. In 1992,  he co-edited a book with the late Samih Farsoun called, Political Culture in the Islamic Republic, published by Routledge.   He has written dozens of articles for various Iranian journals, inside and outside Iran. In the past two years, he has published two books on democracy, republicanism and the Green Movement in Iran.

Unfortunately, Mehrdad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a year ago. Yet his illness has not kept him from following Iranian politics or deterred him from actively participating in seminars and conferences.  While coping with his cancer, he continues to be a regular guest on the Persian service of VOA. His stamina is amazing and he is a true lover of life.  We can all learn a lesson or two from him, about the beauty and preciousness of life, and how to persevere in the face of adversity.   

His favorite movie:  Cinema Paradiso
His favorite music: music of Yanni

Balatarin
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Adib Masumian

And now he has passed away...

by Adib Masumian on Wed Oct 05, 2011 06:08 PM PDT

روحشان شاد...


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default

He shall overcome

by Amir Normandi on Thu Aug 25, 2011 07:06 AM PDT

May all the positive powers be with him

Amir Normandi


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Maryam Hojjat

I wish him Quick Recovery

by Maryam Hojjat on Wed Aug 24, 2011 08:28 AM PDT

We need Dr. Moshyekhi in Free IRAN.


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Bavafa

Best wishes and a fast recovery

by Bavafa on Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:39 PM PDT

 

'Hambastegi' is the main key to victory 

Mehrdad


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P_J

My BEST wishes and fast recovery!

by P_J on Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:26 PM PDT

Although, do not know the gentleman, personally.    I believe that we need all the brains we can get.  Especially those who are WIRED correctly and have a record of struggle for freedom and democracy!


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aynak

Wishing Mehrdad quick full recovery

by aynak on Tue Aug 23, 2011 02:32 PM PDT

 

Iran needs the help of her children like Mehrdad, with his passion/rational thinking and analysis, and principled views.    May he recover fast and help push for  democracy and freedom for Iran.

 

ایران برای همه ایرانیان
رای ایرانیان - دولت ایرانیان
نه ولایت وقیح نه پادشاه سفیه

 

 

 

 


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Masoud Kazemzadeh

Great Scholar, Great Democrat

by Masoud Kazemzadeh on Tue Aug 23, 2011 02:09 PM PDT

Dr. Mashayekhi is a superb scholar as well as a great pro-democracy activist. I was sad when I heard about his illness. I hope he wins the battle against cancer and recovers his health. 

Masoud

 

==================================

Dear Fariba,

Thanks for posting this.

Masoud 

 


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Darius Kadivar

Disagree with his political perspective but wish him well

by Darius Kadivar on Tue Aug 23, 2011 01:49 PM PDT

Having followed over the years like I am sure many other IC and VOA viewers Mrs Mashayekhi's writings, numerous speeches, interviews and participations on VOA's political debates, I was shocked to notice Mr. Mashayekhi's sudden Weight Loss after a period of absence on air all the more that he wished not to speak about it openly.

Having had someone very dear in my own family who suffered from the same predicament I can only wholeheartedly and sincerely wish Mr. Mashayekhi a prompt and quick recovery.

As a Constitutionalist, I do not share some of the political and historical perspectives offered by Mr. Mashayekhi but I have always listened to his views and opinions and sound arguments with great interest.

But at least it seems  we do share something in common and that is a love of Motion Pictures:

 

CINEMA BLUES: Motion Pictures Don't Do It For Me Anymore ...

 

Mr. Mashayekhi is no doubt a man of quality and a genuine patriot and I look forward to seeing him share his knowledge and experience with us for many years to come.

 

Respectfully,

 

DK 

 


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Anahid Hojjati

I wish Mr. Mashayekhi recovery too

by Anahid Hojjati on Tue Aug 23, 2011 01:24 PM PDT

Fariba jan, thanks for writing about Mr. Mashayekhi. You noted that his mother's side of family has last name "Aryanpour". Didn't we have some important English to Farsi dictionary done by Aryanpour?


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Shifteh Ansari

A well-respected Iran analyst

by Shifteh Ansari on Tue Aug 23, 2011 01:00 PM PDT

A knowledgeable man who always has something deep and intelligent to say about the developing events. 

I wish him health and happiness.  Thank you for sharing Fariba khanoom.


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afshinazad

Best wishes to great Iranian

by afshinazad on Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:49 PM PDT

I have heard his speaches in some meetings, he is well respected among Iranian. we wish him speedy recovery.


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Adib Masumian

A great man with a great vision

by Adib Masumian on Tue Aug 23, 2011 11:43 AM PDT

I wish him all the best.


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Jahanshah Javid

Best wishes for Mr. Secular

by Jahanshah Javid on Tue Aug 23, 2011 11:31 AM PDT

I highly recommend watching Mashayekhi's recent defense of democracy: //vimeo.com/22529684

Thank you so much for sharing Fariba.


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