Iran

‘We will not forget’: U of T community marks 4th anniversary of Flight PS752

Christopher.Sorensen — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 17:41:50 +0000

‘We will not forget’: U of T community marks 4th anniversary of Flight PS752

Christopher.Sorensen Tue, 01/09/2024 - 12:41

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Clockwise from top left: Mohammad Salehe, Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, Mohammad Asadi Lari, Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi, Mohammad Amin Jebelli, Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Zeynab Asadi Lari.

Mariam Matti

Topic

Our Community

Flight 752

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Computer Science

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Iran

U of T Mississauga

Four years after the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, the shock of the tragedy has not worn off for Niloofar Ganji.

“It’s hard to believe it happened in the first place,” says Ganji, a PhD student in the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

The Ukraine International Airlines jet was shot down by Iranian armed forces shortly after takeoff on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 people aboard – many of them university students bound for Canada after the winter break. The victims included eight U of T community members: Mohammad Amin Jebelli; siblings Mohammad Asadi Lari and Zeynab Asadi Lari; Mohammad Salehe and spouse Zahra Hasani; Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi; Mojtaba Abbasnezhad; and Mohammad Amin Beiruti.

In the years since, the U of T community has honoured and remembered the eight victims in ways that are both private and public.

Two of the students – (Mohammad) Asadi Lari and Amin Jebelli – studied in the same faculty as Ganji, who is an executive member of U of T Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI). Both are remembered for having a tremendous impact on their classmates and teachers. In 2022, Asadi Lari was named valedictorian posthumously by MD/PhD graduates in Temerty’s Faculty of Medicine.

His sister Zeynab was a U of T Mississauga student with a strong admiration for medicine and global health who was an outspoken advocate for mental health. To honour her memory, U of T Mississauga created the Zeynab Asadi Lari Healthy Campus Award.

“The award recognizes a student champion for holistic health – who has made a positive impact on the campus’s physical, emotional, and social life and who has fostered a sense of community rooted in equity and respect,” said Alexandra Gillespie, U of T Mississauga principal and U of T vice-president, on the second anniversary of the tragedy.

“It recognizes a student leader who had made our campus – and our world – a healthier, more open, and more truthful place to live; and so it rightly carries Zeynab’s name.”

Abbasnezhad, meanwhile, studied in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Hasani was looking forward to pursuing her graduate studies at U of T. Elyasi was a mechanical engineer who studied at U of T and the University of Alberta, and helped teach English to refugees. Beiruti and Salehe both studied computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, with Salehe posthumously publishing a paper that won an honourable mention at an international symposium on edge computing.

UTSFI is organizing an event at U of T on Jan. 11 to honour the eight students and to demand accountability for the tragedy. Speakers include Atena Daemi, an Iranian civil rights activist, Mohsen Ahmadipour, a family member of a victim, Saeid Dehghan, a human rights lawyer, and Alexie Tcheuyap, U of T’s associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience.

“As Iranian students at U of T, it is our responsibility to make sure this event gets commemorated every single year,” Ganji says. “It’s a very emotional time and we are lost for words thinking about the fact that four years have gone by. The most important message we can convey is that we will not forget, and we will not forgive.”

In the memory of the victims, U of T established the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship fund in 2020 to support international students from Iran or current students from any background taking Iranian studies. To date, the scholarship has changed the lives of several students, who have studied in fields ranging from music to computer science.

Amirali Atrli, an undergraduate studying math and physical sciences, has said the award has helped him focus on his studies.

“I’m happy that we value science so much today,” Atrli said. “When I look at papers and see Iranian scientists in various research teams, it makes me proud, and also hopeful for a future where this body of scientists isn’t scattered across the world and has the possibility to pursue what they aspire to at home.”

Shirin Ebadi to deliver lecture: 'Women, Life, Liberty: Human Rights and the Women’s Uprising in Iran'

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:16:20 +0000

Shirin Ebadi to deliver lecture: 'Women, Life, Liberty: Human Rights and the Women’s Uprising in Iran'

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 09/08/2023 - 11:16

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Shirin Ebadi, who received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, is known worldwide for staunchly supporting the rights of women, children and refugees in Iran (supplied image)

Coby Zucker

Topic

Global Lens

Faculty of Arts & Science

Global

Iran

Subheadline

"Iran's long-term prospects are promising because of its potential for transformative change," Nobel Prize-winner says

Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi is returning to the University of Toronto to deliver a lecture on the women’s uprising in Iran.

Ebadi, who received an honorary degree from U of T in 2004, is known worldwide for staunchly supporting the rights of women, children and refugees in Iran.

She will deliver her lecture, “Women, Life, Liberty: Human Rights and the Women’s Uprising in Iran,” on Sept. 22 in Convocation Hall. Ebadi’s visit coincides with the one-year anniversary of the start of the Iranian women’s uprising that began in response to the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

The lecture is a partnership with U of T’s Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science, a world leader in the study of Iranian history and culture. The institute runs regular symposiums, including in the weeks leading up to Ebadi’s lecture.

“Shirin Ebadi is the first in-person Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali distinguished lecturer,” says Professor Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi, director of the institute. “This is particularly significant since the Institute of Iranian Studies is a public-facing unit seeking to enhance dialogue and interaction with communities beyond campus.”

Ebadi was one of Iran’s first female judges before being dismissed after the Iranian Revolution in 1979. In 2000, Ebadi was briefly imprisoned for her legal work exposing human rights violations in Iran. Undeterred, Ebadi continued to fight for women, children, refugees and government dissidents. Subjected to intense government scrutiny, threats and seizure of assets, Ebadi eventually went into exile. She now lives in London, England and continues to fight for Iranian democracy in her writing and speaking engagements.

“With a distinguished career as a judge in pre-revolutionary Iran, Dr. Ebadi has been the most significant voice for Iranian women’s rights and equality in the past four decades,” Tavakoli-Targhi says.

Ebadi answered the following questions in Persian. Her answers have been translated into English:

Is there a personal significance for you in returning to U of T to deliver this lecture?

The University of Toronto is one of the most important universities in Canada and is notable for its commitment to Iranian and Asian studies. It is an honour for me to be able to give a lecture at this distinguished university. Additionally, the substantial presence of Iranian students and professors in the institution adds a layer of personal significance to this occasion. The prospect is all the more appealing as it enables me to effectively connect with a larger audience of my fellow compatriots through this university's platform.

A lot has changed at U of T since you were last here. What is the importance of the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies and its efforts to lead the dialogue on Iran?

Iran has managed to endure through its distinct culture and language, when observing the fate of nations like Egypt – a once-great ancient civilization that regrettably lost its language over time. Despite repeated invasions and foreign occupations throughout history, Iran retained its language and cultural heritage. The Elahé Omidyar Institute of Iranian Studies stands as a commendable entity dedicated to saving the Persian language and culture. Culture plays a pivotal role in the resilience of a nation, a significance heightened by the fact that nearly seven million Iranians reside outside Iran. Institutions such as this play an important role in preserving Iran's language and culture, thus contributing significantly to the nation's survival.

As we approach one year since the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances after being arrested for “improperly” wearing a hijab, how has the landscape of the protests changed?

In Iran, protests often emerge as a means for citizens to voice their long-standing demands. Despite years of attempting to communicate these demands to the government, they had no answer except bullets and prison. The strict censorship within the country's local media prevents the open discussion of these problems, necessitating the involvement of international media to amplify the voices of the people. It has become a collective responsibility for Iranians to disseminate information about the situation of Iran through various channels, ensuring the global community remains informed about the ongoing events. Collaborating with civil society organizations in democratic nations can provide valuable support. Politicians who prioritize universal human rights over economy or personal agendas can play a pivotal role in influencing positive change and raising awareness about the struggles faced by the Iranian people.

Civil unrest, such as that in Iran, often quickly leaves the news cycle. What is the importance of keeping the conversation alive and at the forefront of people’s minds?

Iran's long-term prospects are promising because of its potential for transformative change. With a substantial population and a vast country with resources and reputable universities, the country possesses a solid foundation for growth. Notably, Iranians who have left Iran are often successful in their respective fields and retain a deep affinity for their homeland. This sentiment positions them to potentially return to Iran and contribute to Iran's rebuilding upon the advent of democracy.

While the ultimate vision holds tremendous potential, it's crucial to recognize that achieving this positive outcome may not be immediate. The road to that auspicious day could be in the not near future, and there might even be phases where circumstances worsen than the present year. However, such challenges are transient, and the collective resilience of the Iranian people will carry the nation through these stages. Ultimately, Iran will gain its glory.

Protesters marched on the St. George campus on Oct. 6, 2022 in support of Mahsa Amini (photo by Polina Teif)

What can non-Iranians and the Iranian diaspora community do to continue the support of women in Iran as they fight for their liberty?

My duty and the duty of every Iranian abroad who has a heart for the homeland is to convey the words and voices of the people inside Iran. Universities are a place for disseminating knowledge and inspiring the youth. By addressing these issues through lectures, we will not only create a dialogue around the challenges faced by the people but also encourage discussions that can drive positive change. The words that come out of the microphone are the voice of the Iranian people and it is what they expect us to do.

You have lectured and spoken at numerous universities and institutions about women’s liberty in Iran. How do universities play a role in spreading this message worldwide?

Students are usually young and it is very important for them to be familiar with the situation of women around the world because they will enter society with a more correct attitude toward women's rights, and this will be very effective in improving the situation of women around the world. It is very important to address these subjects in universities.

It has been 20 years since you received a Nobel Peace Prize. Can you briefly reflect on receiving that award and what you have done since?

[The year] 2009, the start of the Green Movement, marked a turning point for Iran's political climate, leading to increased restrictions and crackdowns on civil society organizations, such as the Defenders of Human Rights Center. The centre's activities drew intense government scrutiny, resulting in severe repressions. The office was attacked, leading to its closure, the arrest of the management team, and their subsequent imprisonment, including the ongoing detention of Narges Mohammadi.

As a founding member and head of the association, I was also targeted, but I was outside of the country. My husband and sister were arrested to pressure me into silence. Additionally, my assets, including the apartment that I purchased with the Nobel Prize fund allocated to the centre, were confiscated. The government also seized my bank accounts, including the portion of the Nobel Peace Prize funds intended for covering the centre's expenses.

Indeed, the pursuit of freedom often comes with significant sacrifices, and I am happy that none of us backed down and the activities are still going on. Recently, the Shirin Ebadi Foundation has started preparing and translating legal education pamphlets and books, and translating them into Kurdish, Balochi, Turkish and Arabic languages.

The significance of human rights in Iran gained substantial attention after 2003, when I received the Nobel Peace Prize. While initially we may have been among the few human rights institutes, it's great to see that the landscape has evolved. Awareness and commitment to protecting human rights have become widespread, leading to the establishment of numerous human rights organizations.

Unfortunately, despite these advancements, the human rights situation in Iran remains challenging. Government repression and strong censorship persist, alongside the existence of discriminatory laws.

Nonetheless, there's hope for a more positive future. Over time, and through persistent efforts, it's conceivable that these discriminatory laws will be abolished, paving the way for improved human rights situation in Iran.

International Women’s Day: What's happening across U of T's three campuses

mattimar — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 18:38:00 +0000

International Women’s Day: What's happening across U of T's three campuses

mattimar Mon, 03/06/2023 - 13:38

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(photo by Matthew Dochstader/Paradox Images)

Mariam Matti

Topic

City & Culture

Entrepreneurship Week

ICUBE

The Hub

Alumni

Faculty of Arts & Science

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Faculty of Law

Faculty of Music

International Women's Day

International Women’s Day on March 8 is an opportunity to come together to celebrate women’s social, cultural and political accomplishments – and to reflect on the challenges and work that lie ahead.

This year’s theme is Embrace Equity, which aims to spark conversations around the world about why equal opportunities aren’t enough and how true inclusion requires equitable action.

U of T is hosting events across the three campuses featuring inspirational leaders and student groups. Here is a snapshot of what’s happening this week:

Jazz and Justice: Transformative, Equitable Futures in Music

The Faculty of Music is holding a panel discussion on the pathway for equitable futures in music with faculty Dean Ellie Hisama, Beth Coleman, an associate professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at U of T Mississauga, and Grammy award-winning jazz artist Terri Lyne Carrington. The event is on March 6 at 3 p.m. inside Walter Hall on the St. George campus.

Crowns for Change: Flower Crowns

The International Student Centre (ISC) at U of T Scarborough invites students to make a beautiful flower crown, take photos with new friends and learn more about powerful female leaders who are making a difference around the world. The event takes place on March 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Highland Hall Event Centre.

Learning Technology Systems in Everyday Life: Women’s Experiences Navigating Refugee Resettlement

Negin Dahya, assistant professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at U of T Mississauga, is participating in the Lecture Me series, which highlights research from different faculty at U of T Mississauga. The virtual event will take place on March 7 from 7 to 8:15 p.m.

International Women’s Day Webinar

The Faculty of Law is hosting a panel discussion moderated by the Women and Law student group on March 8 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The event features U of T alumnae Cherie Brant, national leader for the Indigenous law group at Borden Ladner Gervais, Rita Maxwell, a judge on the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and Maria Zeldis, senior vice president legal at Onni Group of Companies.

Pitch with a Twist

Part of U of T’s Entrepreneurship Week, U of T Mississauga’s ICUBE incubator is hosting Pitch with a Twist, International Women’s Day edition on March 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at U of T Mississauga in the IMI Rotunda. The event features U of T alumna Lesley Hampton, an Anishinaabe artist and fashion designer, as a keynote speaker and provides an opportunity for women-identifying entrepreneurs to pitch early-stage ventures to a panel of women-identifying judges from a variety of sectors.

She Moves: A Conference with Motion

The Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education is inviting all women-identifying students to participate in MoveU, an evening of physical activity, wellness and discussion. The event takes place on March 8 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Athletic Centre on the St. George campus.

Empower the Leader Within

U of T Scarborough is hosting a panel discussion with inspiring executives about their career journeys, the challenges they’ve navigated and their hope for future leaders. The event takes place on March 8 from 5 to 7:30 pm. at the Instructional Centre.

Event in Solidarity with Iranian Women

In collaboration with the Iranian Scholars for Liberty, the U of T Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI) are holding an event on March 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to show their support for women in Iran. The event will take place at the Galbraith Building in Room 220 on the St. George campus and is open to the community.

International Women’s Day Celebration: Women, Life, Liberty

The Iranian Women Organization of Ontario, U of T’s The Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science and the Royal Ontario Museum are holding an event to reflect on women’s empowerment and leadership in Iran and the Middle East. The event takes place on March 8 from 6:15 to 9 p.m. at the Eaton Theatre at the ROM.

Inspire: Breaking Down Barriers to Success

Part of U of T’s Entrepreneurship Week, there will be a discussion with U of T Scarborough alumna Fennella Bruce, veteran television producer and host and media consultant, and Elina Chow, CEO of JotTech. The event takes place on March 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Hub in Highland Hall.

International Women’s Day: Reproductive Rights and Faith

The Multi-Faith Centre on the St. George campus is hosting an event to explore how gender rights, justice and spirituality are connected on March 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Main Activity Hall. The event features a panel discussion, a dinner and an opportunity to network.

Category: Woman, Film Screening and Panel Discussion

U of T's Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education and the Cinema Studies Institute in the Faculty of Arts & Science are hosting a screening of Category: Woman on March 8 at 7 p.m. at Innis Town Hall Theatre. There will be a panel discussion and a Q&A featuring filmmaker Phyllis Ellis following the screening.

Terri Lyne Carrington in Concert with U of T Jazz Orchestra

The Faculty of Music is hosting a concert with drummer, composer and producer Terri Lyne Carrington on March 8 at 7:30 at Walter Hall. Carrington, the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice in Boston, will perform with the U of T jazz orchestra. U of T students are admitted free with a valid TCard, space permitting.

An activist and PhD student, Niloofar Ganji is making her mark in the lab – and on the streets

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 21:25:22 +0000

An activist and PhD student, Niloofar Ganji is making her mark in the lab – and on the streets

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 01/18/2023 - 16:25

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When Niloofar Ganji isn't conducting research in a lab at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), she is organizing events at the university in support of the anti-regime movement in Iran (photo by Polina Teif)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Global Lens

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Graduate Students

Hospital for Sick Children

Iran

Research & Innovation

Niloofar Ganji works inside one of the largest child health research towers in the world – a position of privilege that’s never far from her mind.

A PhD student at the University of Toronto, Ganji says she thinks of friends in her home country each time she steps inside the elevator that whisks her to her 10^th-floor lab in the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

“I don’t take this opportunity for granted because I know a lot of my friends in Iran deserve to be here – but don’t have the chance to be,” she says.

An accomplished scientist who is passionate about helping others, Ganji’s research focuses on Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a complicated intestinal inflammatory disorder that’s prevalent in premature newborns.

“Science-wise, it’s an interesting mystery,” said Ganji who is completing her PhD at the Institute of Medical Science in U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

“It’s also a disease that is in dire need of a new treatment.”

Ganji has made important contributions to NEC research since joining the lab of Agostino Pierro, a senior associate scientist at the SickKids Research Institute, in 2016. That includes being co-first author on a paper, published in Nature Communications, that showed how a bedside intervention called remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) may improve the outcomes of infants with the disease.

“Dr. Pierro has been extremely supportive and he’s an inspiration,” Ganji says of her PhD supervisor, who is also a professor of surgery and physiology at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine. “Being able to contribute to the work he does and learning from him is something I do not take for granted.”

Ganji’s research focuses on Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a complicated intestinal inflammatory disorder that’s prevalent in premature newborns (photo by Polina Teif)

Recognizing the opportunities she’s been afforded, Ganji is determined to make it possible for others to pursue their dreams – particularly those from her home country of Iran.

In October of last year, Ganji stood outside of U of T’s Sidney Smith Hall on the St. George campus and delivered opening remarks at a rally that condemned the authoritarian regime that rules Iran. The event was organized by Ganji and other Iranian students in the wake of the murder of Mahsa Amini by Iran’s morality police last year.

Last week, Ganji helped organize and host an event at U of T to mark the third anniversary of the downing of Flight PS752. The Ukraine International Airlines jet was shot down by Iranian armed forces on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 aboard – including eight U of T community members.

As an executive member of U of T Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI), Ganji has also helped plan other vigils, rallies and open discussions in an effort to mobilize support for Iran’s fight for freedom – all on top of her considerable academic workload.

“As a graduate student at U of T, I have a very valuable platform and the opportunity to be the voice of those inside Iran,” she says, adding that the brutality of the Iranian regime has not only sparked her passion for activism, but caused her to reflect her reflect on her own past.

“It’s been the first time where I’m thinking back to how I actually felt when I was in Grade 8 and I had to wear a hijab every day going to school, when that was just something my family wanted me to do.”

“From personal experience, I can attest to the importance of freedom of expression.”

Ganji helped organize a rally last year in solidarity with the people of Iran who were protesting Mahsa Amini’s death (photo by Polina Teif)

Ganji’s family immigrated to Toronto as she began to contemplate her academic path. While she excelled in her studies – “I was always in the front row in science class” – she says she sometimes struggled to make the transition to a new country because of her parents’ traditional values.

“I’m going to school in a place where I constantly see girls like me who are expressing themselves, but I had a lot of limitations related to that,” she says. “I didn’t fully understand it at that age.”

These days, Ganji has a clearer picture of herself and the world around her – not to mention a sense of great responsibility.

She has already completed a bachelor’s degree with a double major in physiology and human biology at U of T, as well as a master’s degree in physiology, and is now helping co-ordinate an international network of 12 centres to evaluate the feasibility of RIC, as a potential new treatment for NEC.

“RIC is a simple and non-invasive maneuver that involves brief cycles of ischemia (reduced blood flow) and reperfusion (restored blood flow) applied to a limb – similar to inflating and deflating a blood pressure cuff during standard blood pressure measurement,” explains Ganji.

Pierro, for his part, calls Ganji an “exceptional scholar.”

“She is a committed professional who is driven to work hard to advance her knowledge and skills,” he says. “I have witnessed her passion for science over the years and have come to trust fully that through her compassionate character and professional work ethics, Niloofar is set to become a successful physician scientist who will be an asset to the future medical and scientific community.”

On top of her PhD work and activism, Ganji is a teaching assistant in the department of physiology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

She says it’s been difficult balancing her busy life in Toronto while worrying about friends and family in Iran.

“You live this parallel life as an immigrant,” she says. “You build a new home, but your heart is with Iran.”

“Since Amini’s death, it’s been extra-difficult,” she adds, admitting that she’s been glued to her social media feed. “Seeing news of executions in Iran, what they’re doing to people in the streets, in their homes, in schools. We’re all going through a sort of trauma.”

Ganji longs to see her home country rid of the theocracy that has been in power since 1979.

“The overthrow of the Islamic regime would mean the prospect of me going back to my country with my partner will no longer be a fantasy or a dream,” she says, adding that she wants to put her knowledge and expertise in pediatrics and health care to work for the Iranian people.

In the meantime, she plans to stay focused on her research – and continue planning events that raise awareness of the plight of her home country.

“As soon as the lens is turned away from Iran, the brutality and violence will increase unimaginably,” she says.

“I feel a sense of responsibility with everything I do. My family made a lot of sacrifices for me to have these opportunities.”

Experts from around the world to attend Persian-language symposium on women and Iran's future

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:07:45 +0000

Experts from around the world to attend Persian-language symposium on women and Iran's future

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 01/13/2023 - 14:07

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(Photo by Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images)

Topic

Global Lens

Faculty of Arts & Science

Global

Innis College

Iran

Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations

Women

Experts from across the globe are preparing to discuss the ongoing women’s movement in Iran at Women, Life, Liberty: Iran’s Democratic Future, a Persian-language seminar organized by researchers at the University of Toronto.

The academic symposium, billed as the first of its kind, takes place Saturday and looks retrospectively at the history of the women's movement in Iran and the prospects for the country’s future.

Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi

The event was organized by U of T’s Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies and its director, Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi. A professor of history and Near and Middle Eastern civilizations in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Tavakoli-Targhi has devoted countless hours to bringing this symposium to fruition.

“We are the leading institute of Iranian studies in North America [and] we have had weekly events and seminars and discussions on various aspects of Iranian civilization, history and culture,” Tavakoli-Targhi says. “We also felt obligated that we should, rather than sit back and watch what is happening, begin to foster an academic conversation about the transition to this future democratic era.”

The symposium comes amid the recent intensification of the women's movement and uprising in Iran. Protests and civil unrest flared following the death of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16, 2022.

“Iran had a revolution in 1979, promising freedom and liberty but delivering the Islamic regime,” Tavakoli-Targhi says. “The question is: how can we, through our own participation, writing, thinking and discussing the movement, begin to foster this democratic ethos.”

A protester holds a portrait of Mahsa Amini on in Istanbul on Sept. 20, 2022 (photo by Oza Kose/AFP/Getty Images)

Panelists at the symposium will range from human rights lawyers such as Mehrangiz Kar, an internationally renowned writer who covered the 1979 revolution, to prominent figures within the Iranian Canadian community such as Ali Ehsassi, a Toronto-area MP, to professors such as Nazila Ghanea at the University of Oxford, who is also the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

“We decided on a panel that is highly diverse, representing Iranian scholars and Iranian lawyers who are Iranian Jews, Iranian Baháʼís, Iranians from different religious denominations,” Tavakoli-Targhi says. “That diversity of the panels is a really distinctive feature of this seminar.”

While the symposium will be entirely in Persian, Tavakoli-Targhi says English speakers can keep an eye out for his weekly seminars and discussion groups. Future symposiums may tackle topics such as intellectual freedom and autonomy of universities from state intervention.

Those wishing to participate in Women, Life, Liberty: Iran’s Democratic Future can attend via Zoom or in-person at Innis Town Hall from 10:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“In a sense, we are both looking back at the history and also the horizon of expectations for a democratic and pluralistic Iran,” Tavakoli-Targhi says. “And from that point of view, I think the symposium is rather unique.”

Symposium participants and other community members are encouraged to consider a donation to the Iranian Studies Student Scholarship Fund.

‘All part of our community’: U of T marks the 3rd anniversary of Flight PS752

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 20:36:31 +0000

‘All part of our community’: U of T marks the 3rd anniversary of Flight PS752

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 01/12/2023 - 15:36

Cutline

The U of T community gathered on the St. George campus to remember the 176 lives lost in the Flight PS752 tragedy (photo by Polina Teif)

Mariam Matti

Topic

Global Lens

Flight 752

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Computer Science

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

With red roses, candles and painful memories, the University of Toronto community marked the third anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 at a ceremony on the St. George campus this week.

The flight was shot down by Iranian armed forces on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 aboard.

The victims included eight U of T community members: Mohammad Amin Jebelli; siblings Mohammad Asadi Lari and Zeynab Asadi Lari; Mohammad Salehe and spouse Zahra Hasani; Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi; Mojtaba Abbasnezhad; and Mohammad Amin Beiruti.

The families of the victims of Flight PS752 held photos of their loved ones (photo by Polina Teif)

Patricia Houston, vice-dean, medical education, at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, said (Mohammad) Asadi Lari and Jebelli, who both studied in the faculty, had a tremendous impact on their classmates and teachers.

“Mohammad Asadi Lari or ‘Moh’ as we called him was known to his friends as a very energetic and authentic student,” she said at the event held Wednesday evening at the Earth Sciences Centre.

“He was involved, even before he came to Temerty Medicine, in many national and international initiatives, and he was passionate about helping others and youth empowerment.”

Red roses and candles were displayed to honour the 176 victims (photo by Polina Teif)

Asadi Lari was named valedictorian posthumously by the MD/PhD graduates in Temerty’s Faculty of Medicine last June.

His sister, Zeynab, was a U of T Mississauga student with a strong admiration for medicine and global health. Abbasnezhad, meanwhile, studied in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. Hasani was looking forward to pursuing her graduate studies at U of T. Elyasi was a mechanical engineer who helped teach English to refugees. Beiruti and Salehe both studied computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Clockwise from top left: Mohammad Salehe, Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, Mohammad Asadi Lari, Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi, Mohammad Amin Jebelli, Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Zeynab Asadi Lari.

The names and ages of everyone onboard the flight were read as their photos were projected on a big screen.

The U of T Students for a Free Iran (UTSFI) organized the ceremony to honour the victims and demand accountability for the tragedy.

“A plane with 176 innocent lives was shot down by a government that does not hold any regard for human life or human dignity and this crime cannot be forgotten,” said Faraz Khoshbakhtian, a PhD student in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and member of UTSFI.

“These lives on the plane were all part of our community.”

Some families of the victims were in attendance and made speeches to commemorate their loved ones.

Alexie Tcheuyap, associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience, delivers remarks at the ceremony (photo by Polina Teif)

Alexie Tcheuyap, associate vice-president and vice-provost, international student experience, said he was honoured to be at the event to reflect on the lives lost aboard Flight PS752.

“Across the university, the news was met with sorrow and shock at such a terrible and senseless tragedy,” he said. “Together we mourn the deaths of the U of T students.”

The attendees comforted each other throughout the somber ceremony (photo by Polina Teif)

Melanie Woodin, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, said those onboard the doomed airliner “had their lives ahead of them.”

“At the Faculty of Arts & Science, we’ve always had a special relationship and connection with students from the Iranian community,” said Woodin.

“That day, two of our computer science PhD students – Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Mohammad Salehe – lost their lives. It was heartbreaking and difficult to come to terms with the fact that these promising young minds full of ambition and vigour are no longer able to fulfill their dreams.”

‘The entire country is on fire’: U of T’s Shahrzad Mojab on the uprising in Iran following Mahsa Jina Amini’s death

mattimar — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 17:21:43 +0000

‘The entire country is on fire’: U of T’s Shahrzad Mojab on the uprising in Iran following Mahsa Jina Amini’s death

mattimar Fri, 10/07/2022 - 13:21

Cutline

A T-shirt with the image of Mahsa (Jina) Amini is draped over the shoulders of a protestor at a rally in Toronto that began on U of T's St. George campus and continued to Queen's Park (photo by Polina Teif)

Topic

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

The tragic death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in police custody has sparked protests in Iran and globally over suppression of women’s rights and state violence.

Shahrzad Mojab, professor in the department of leadership, higher and adult education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and acting director of the Women & Gender Studies Institute, says the uprising is unique because of the way it has brought Iranians together.

Shahrzad Mojab

“The unity of the people is remarkable in terms of demanding, ‘Let’s stay in the streets and be united in our struggle,’” she said.

There has been an outpouring of support in Canada and around the world. At the University of Toronto, there have been rallies, an online discussion and a vigil, among other demonstrations of support. President Meric Gertler and Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity and Culture Kelly Hannah-Moffat have both issued statements condemning policy brutality in Iran, the violation of human rights and systemic violations of the rights of women – and expressing solidarity with those speaking out.

President Gertler’s statement also addressed reports in recent days of police action against student protesters on university campuses in Iran, and the special concerns this raises for U of T and all institutions founded on academic freedom and freedom of expression. Universities Canada, which is chaired by President Gertler, has also released a statement expressing its concern.

As for Mojab, she spoke at a rally Thursday evening that began at U of T’s Sidney Smith Commons on the St. George campus and ended at Queen’s Park.

Mojab participated in the women’s movement, the Kurdish autonomous movement and in the student protests in Iran more than 40 years ago, and was forced to leave Iran in 1983 due to her political activism.

U of T News spoke with her about Amini, the massive uprising in Iran and what it means for the future of the country.

Who was Mahsa Amini?

Mahsa (Jina) Amini was a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who was travelling to Tehran for a family vacation. She was detained by the morality police because they claim she wore her veil improperly. She was confronted, arrested and then taken to a detention centre to be “re-educated” in terms of morality, Islamic codes and proper dressing. She was beaten under custody and she was transferred to hospital where she passed away a few days later.

The compulsory veiling law was enforced by the Islamic regime since it came into power. This has been the cornerstone of the Islamic identity of this government. The compulsory veiling law is part of the Islamic Constitution, which is based on Sharia law.

It has been brutally enforced for more than four decades with many implications. It is a massive suppression of freedom of expression, academic freedom, censoring publications and different forms of art production. It is a suppression of women’s rights, control of women’s sexuality and their reproductive rights – all of that is enshrined in the constitution of Iran.

Shahrzad Mojab spoke at a rally on the St. George campus this week (photo by Polina Teif)

Why did Amini’s death fuel such a strong response among Iranian youth, particularly women?

People got very angry for several reasons.

The first is that Mahsa’s family made it public knowledge that this had happened to their daughter. They didn't keep it a secret. This daring act on behalf of the family really exposed the larger machinery of violence of this state. How are women treated? What happens at the time of the arrest? And where do they get taken? There’s been much media and footage that have exposed the machinery of this violence.

Second, Mahsa is a Kurdish woman – a member of a national minority that has been culturally, economically and politically suppressed. Those factors, combined with gender oppression, were a force that ignited this massive uprising.

The third reason is that, in the last few years, the government has escalated its suppression of freedom ideas by arresting women, human rights activists, environmental activists, members of workers unions, teachers, writers and artists. Just a few months ago, the death of a very beloved poet, writer and filmmaker – Baktash Abtin – affected many people.

The last reason, which is hugely significant, is the economic condition in the country. The high inflation, lack of employment, the rise of poverty and class division has also contributed to the frustration and grievances of the people. All of this has hugely affected the anger of the people in terms of Mahsa’s death being viewed as the last straw.

Hundreds marched from Sidney Smith Hall on the St. George campus to Queen's Park (Photo by Polina Teif)

Why have the protests have spread worldwide and what does the show of solidarity mean?

Over the last four decades, we’ve had suppression of women’s rights with the compulsory veiling law, followed by military aggression against the Kurds, followed by the massacre of political prisoners, the suppression of the student movements – it has been relentless. The international community kept quiet. Now, this silence is broken. It is broken because the leading force in this movement are youth and women. There is such an incredible unity across the country that it's hard not to be moved by this.

People across the world saw the connection between the knee of the white police officer on George Floyd and the brutality of Islamic police in Iran. They could see it’s state violence, it’s structural forces that are strangling people.

People on the streets everywhere are responding to national oppression and women’s oppression. They can see the relationship between banning of abortion in the U.S. and the rise of right-wing fascism in Europe. They see themselves in it, they see that it is coming to them – that is this level of political, cultural and economic violence.

I think it’s incredible to see this beautiful solidarity in Latin America, the entire Middle East, Europe and North America.

Has Iran seen anything like this wave of protests before?

Iran has observed many, many uprisings in different places at different times.

However, this is unique in terms of the unity that it has created across the country. It’s unique in the sense that it involves students, workers, teachers, nurses – all professions are involved. People in rural areas, urban areas, small cities are getting involved. It’s incredible. The entire country is on fire. The protests are creative, united and peaceful. The Islamic state is trying to impose its violence to freedom seeking protestors.

Neeki Alavi, a medical sciences student, says “It’s really important for Iranian people to be represented around the world right now” (photo by Polina Teif)

What are the stakes here? What happens next for the regime, for the protestors?

It is a very difficult situation. People are standing up in a peaceful, democratic way of expressing their rights. In front of them is a militarized, secularized, brutal regime that is committed to suppressing people. The government is using their old rhetoric of this being interference by the West.

It’s all the rhetoric that people are sick and tired of hearing. They know these are lies. So, what we are seeing is that this is a faceoff. It's an extremely dangerous faceoff. I don't know what is going to happen.

As of Oct. 5, I know that university students are on a strike. They are occupying campuses and there are different calls for a general strike. The unity of the people is remarkable in terms of saying: “Let’s fight this. Let’s stay on the streets and be united in our struggle. They say, “This is not a protest, this is a revolution.”

U of T collaborates with Encyclopedia Iranica Foundation on study of Iranian women poets and cinema

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 21:54:43 +0000

U of T collaborates with Encyclopedia Iranica Foundation on study of Iranian women poets and cinema

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 01/19/2022 - 16:54

Cutline

Opening day of the Tehran International Short Film Festival on Oct. 19, 2021. U of T scholars will be contributing new research to the Encyclopedia Iranica on Iranian film and female poets (photo by Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

Cynthia Macdonald

Topic

Global Lens

Faculty of Arts & Science

Iran

Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations

U of T Mississauga

A hub for the study of Iranian history and culture, the University of Toronto has signed a multi-year partnership with the Encyclopedia Iranica Foundation to share a wealth of information on Iranian poets and Iranian film with the world.

First published as a fascicle in 1982, and online since 1996, the encyclopedia provides researchers and the general public alike with information on Iranian civilization written by 1,300 scholars. The agreement between the university and the Encyclopedia Iranica Foundation invites U of T researchers to contribute new research to digital compendia titled “Iranian Women Poets” and “Iranian Cinema.”

Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi, the inaugural director of U of T’s Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies and principal investigator on both projects, said U of T has emerged as a leading centre for the study of Iran over the last decade, including the creation of the institute last year.

“The new institute has over 20 faculty with twice as many graduate students, and there is a vibrant Iranian community in Toronto and Canada – all linked to sources of intellectual and artistic creativity. So it has been rather timely for the university to initiate a project like this,” said Tavakoli-Targhi, who is also a professor in the department of Near and MIddle Eastern civilizations in the Faculty of Arts & Science and in the department of historical studies at U of T Mississauga.

The research effort will involve scholars around the world, but the research and editorial team will be based in the department of Near and Middle Eastern civilizations. Research assistants will be jointly funded by the university and the Encyclopedia Iranica Foundation.

Iran boasts a rich tradition of poetry by women writers such as Tahereh Qurrat al-’Ayn and Forough Farrokhzad (illustration: I, Stefan Back, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Iranian Women Poets project will shine a light on writers whose work has often been overshadowed by their male counterparts such as Rumi, Hafez and Omar Khayyam.

Tavakoli-Targhi notes that poetry remains an important part of everyday life in Iran. It's not unusual for Iranians to recite verses or turn to poetry for ethical guidance.

“Until recently,” he says, “the general academic understanding was that Iranian literature has been exclusively the domain of men. But because of work done in the past 40 years by literary scholars, it is now known that women have been writing poetry since as early as the 10th century.”

Significant female poets include Rabi‘ah Balkhi, a 10th-century poet; Mahasti Ganjavi (born circa 1089); Tahereh Qurrat al-‘Ayn, a 19th-century writer who was not only a poet but also a women’s rights activist and theologian; and Forough Farrokhzad, whose work has been revered by many since her life was cut short after a car crash in 1967.

The second digital compendium, Iranian Cinema, is related to the first in that both women and poetry have played key roles in the development of Iranian films.

“Iranian cinema has distinguished itself from the cinema of the rest of the world, because it is informed by poetry,” Tavakoli-Targhi said. “And some of my colleagues have argued that in the past several decades, cinema has replaced poetry as a form of Iranian self-expression. What is also interesting is that in Iranian cinema, women directors, producers, actors and so on are gaining more public attention. They’re following what one of my colleagues has called the ‘cinema of empathy’ – a kind of cinema where women are emerging as the universal subject, as someone the audience would want to be like. Because they are caring figures: attending to family, and also to their community and nation.”

Filmmakers Rakhshan Banietemad and Abbas Kiorastami have earned international acclaim (photos: Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons and Pedro J Pacheco, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

In recent years, filmmakers such as Rakhshan Banietemad and Abbas Kiorastami have become known to western audiences. But as Tavakoli-Targhi notes, the field has a long history. “In the early decades of the 20th century, Iran became a site for creative artists from Russia and Eastern Europe to come and do really good work. You saw them coming and creating, in the same way that European immigrants to the United States created Hollywood,” he says.

Tavakoli-Targhi is excited that the new resource projects will be truly international, with contributions not only from the many linguistic and cultural groups found within Iran, but also through the variety of researchers studying these topics abroad.

He is currently convening a Canadian Society for Iranian Studies, and has organized a regular Friday seminar series that has attracted close to 4,000 attendees. An event planned for Nowruz (Iranian New Year) in late March will also highlight female poets.

Tavakoli-Targhi celebrated the recent surge in cultural knowledge exchange that is fueling these new initiatives and may give rise to others.

“I often think of the COVID age as the simultaneity of spring and fall,” he said, “because you have the withering away of all these community networks that we used to have – but also the blooming of a new kind of connection.”

‘They all moved to Canada to do something bigger’: Remembering the victims of Flight PS752

mattimar — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 20:45:11 +0000

‘They all moved to Canada to do something bigger’: Remembering the victims of Flight PS752

mattimar Fri, 01/07/2022 - 15:45

Cutline

Clockwise from top left: Mohammad Salehe, Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, Mohammad Asadi Lari, Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi, Mohammad Amin Jebelli, Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Zeynab Asadi Lari.

Mariam Matti

Topic

Our Community

Flight 752

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Alumni

Computer Science

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Graduate Students

Iran

Translational Research Program

U of T Mississauga

For Amin Kamaleddin, grieving the loss of his friends who were killed aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 has been a difficult and frustrating process, with many unanswered questions two years on.

Three of his friends – Mohammad Amin Jebelli, Mohammad Amin Beiruti and Mojtaba Abbasnezhad – were among the eight University of Toronto community members on the flight when it was shot down by Iranian armed forces on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 aboard.

He says they were some of the brightest people he knew.

“They were not just good friends, but also good students,” said Kamaleddin, a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at U of T.

Amin Kamaleddin

The university will join the country on Jan. 8 in remembering the victims of Flight PS752, which also included U of T community members: Mohammad Salehe and his wife Zahra Hasani, siblings Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammad Asadi Lari, and alumnus Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi.

“The University of Toronto will never forget this tragedy and the eight members of our community whose loss continues to be deeply felt across our campuses and the country,” President Meric Gertler said.

“We join with universities across Canada and around the world in remembering those gifted scholars and students whose lives held so much promise, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.”

The Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims is running an online campaign called #IWillLightACandleToo, encouraging the public to show their support by posting a picture of candles. On Saturday, the non-profit is hosting a virtual ceremony with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other delegates. A physically distanced and masked candlelight vigil will be held at Mel Lastman Square in North York at 5 p.m.

Kamaleddin says it’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since the tragedy.

“I think family and friends are far from getting justice and they deserve to know the truth, even if it is a very sad and miserable truth,” he says.

An Ontario court earlier this week awarded $107 million, plus interest, to the families of six people who died on the plane, but questions remain whether the money can be collected because Iran has refused to participate in the process. Iran has also refused to negotiate with Canada and four other countries about reparations, missing a key deadline earlier this week.

In the weeks after the tragedy, U of T established the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship fund to honour the victims and support international students from Iran or current students from any background taking Iranian studies.

The fund was the brainchild of David Palmer, U of T’s vice-president, advancement, and alumni Rahim Rezaie and Mehrdad Hariri, CEO and president of the Canadian Science Policy Centre.

The memorial scholarship has so far provided support to four U of T students. One recipient is aerospace engineering student Javad Siahkamari, a member of U of T’s aerospace team and a founding member of its hyperloop team.

“I came to Canada three years ago with the dream of building a future that I have been dreaming of since I was 14 years old,” Siahkamari said in a letter thanking donors. “This journey has had as many ups as it has had downs and this scholarship has been an unbelievable help for me through one of its most challenging downs.

“I now see myself closer than ever to fulfilling the dream I have worked very hard for and for that I am eternally grateful.”

On Friday, the Ontario government announced it was renewing funding for scholarships established in memory of the 57 Canadians killed. “We can never replace the loss of so many bright and promising scholars, educators – and above all – loved ones, but we hope to honour their memories through the continuation of this scholarship fund,” Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop said in a statement.

On Saturday, Kamaleddin says he will light a candle in honour of the victims and his friends who he misses dearly.

The memories he has will stay with him for life. He’ll remember Amin Beiruti, a PhD student in computer science in the Faculty of Arts & Science, for his ambition; Abbasnezhad, a PhD student and teaching assistant in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, for his calmness; and Amin Jebelli, a member of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Translational Research Program, for his passion in helping others – and the happiness that brought him.

“They all moved to Canada to do something bigger,” Kamaleddin says. “Every time I think about the families of the victims, I can feel heartache. It will take a long time to heal.

“My hope is that those responsible for the tragedy will be identified and brought to justice.”

‘They shall not be forgotten’: U of T marks first anniversary of Flight 752 tragedy

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 21:35:33 +0000

‘They shall not be forgotten’: U of T marks first anniversary of Flight 752 tragedy

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 01/07/2021 - 16:35

Cutline

One of several memorials created at U of T shortly after Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was shot down on Jan. 8, 2020 (photo by Daria Perevezentsev)

Topic

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Computer Science

Division of University Advancement

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Iran

Meric Gertler

Translational Research Program

U of T Mississauga

Hardworking. Smart. Creative. These are the qualities that come to mind when Professor Eyal de Lara remembers PhD student Mohammad Salehe, one of six University of Toronto students killed aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 one year ago this week.

Salehe was just beginning to make his mark in edge computing – a field that aims to bring computation and data storage closer to the source instead of relying on distant cloud servers – when his life was cut tragically short by Iranian armed forces who shot down the airliner on Jan. 8, 2020, killing all 176 aboard.

Just one year into his doctoral studies, Salehe, one of two computer science students killed in the crash, had already interned at Samsung’s AI lab in Toronto and collaborated with researchers at AT&T.

“I think the work he did was quite innovative, quite creative – obviously, you’re always left wondering what could have been,” said de Lara, a faculty member in the computer systems and network group who came to know Salehe while he was still living in Iran.

“He was probably one of the strongest students I’ve worked with over the last few years.”

U of T and campus groups will join the country in remembering the victims of Flight 752, which included a total of eight U of T community members: Salehe and his wife Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, siblings Zeynab Asadi Lari and Mohammad Asadi-Lari, Mohammad Amin Beiruti, Mohammad Amin Jebelli and alumnus Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi.

In their honour, the federal government, which recently released a report on the crash of Flight 752, has declared Jan. 8 a National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Air Disasters.

President Meric Gertler said U of T would lower flags to half-mast on Jan. 8 to “pay tribute to these bright and accomplished individuals whose loss remains profoundly felt across our three campuses, our city, and, indeed, the entire national academic community.”

Online memorial services, both private and public, are being held across the three campuses, in keeping with COVID-19 public health guidelines.

“Please join me in reflecting upon the memory of our eight promising students and scholars we lost, colleagues who greatly enriched the U of T community. They shall not be forgotten,” President Gertler said.

Clockwise from top left: Mohammad Salehe, Zahra Hasani, Mojtaba Abbasnezhad, Mohammad Asadi-Lari, Zeynab Asadi Lari, Mohammad Amin Beiruti, Mohammad Amin Jebelli and Mohammad Mahdi Elyasi.

Dozens of students, professors and researchers from at least 18 universities across the country were aboard the doomed flight, which killed 55 Canadian citizens, 30 permanent residents, and numerous others with ties to Canada. On Friday at 7 p.m., the Iranian Association at the University of Toronto is co-hosting an online memorial event with other student groups from Quebec to British Columbia that features voice recordings about lost loved ones, according to the association’s website. There is also a Zoom event on Jan. 10 hosted by Student Life and other groups. It begins at noon.

Read a PhD student’s op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen about the tragedy

Many of the U of T students on the flight had already made an impact in their respective disciplines.

Last fall, Salehe was the posthumous co-author of a paper on “Hierarchical Querying for the Edge” that won an honourable mention at an international symposium on edge computing.

In December, Mohammad Asadi-Lari, an MD/PhD student in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, was awarded a Posthumous Singular Award of Merit by the Canadian Medical Association for “exemplary leadership, initiative and commitment to making a difference at the local, provincial/territorial or national level.”

And, eight months after the crash, Zeynab Asadi Lari posthumously co-authored an article in Clinical and Experimental Medicine about a gene that might be targeted in future therapies to treat colorectal cancer.

Fiona Rawle, an associate professor at U of T Mississauga who taught Zeynab in her introductory biology course, said the journal publication was a potent reminder of Zeynab’s “hopes and goals, and everything that she planned to accomplish” – as well as of the difference she already made although her life was cut short.

Even in a class of about 900 students, Rawle said Zeynab stood out because of her commitment and enthusiasm, as well as the care she demonstrated toward other students. She recalled Zeynab comforting a classmate who was visibly upset because of a family emergency.

“This student was crying and kept saying ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry for crying.’ I remember Zeynab said at that moment “Don’t say sorry – you are sad and you are crying and that is OK. It’s OK to cry,’” Rawle said.

“I have thought of those words often over the past year. It’s OK to be sad. It’s OK to feel scared. Zeynab was always pulling people together, helping people establish connection – both inside and outside the classroom.”

In a video message, Alexandra Gillespie, vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga, described Zeynab as “the rarest of leaders – at once competitive, compassionate and collaborative. Full of intelligence and brimming with curiosity, she strove to create positive change advocating for innovative solutions to mental public and global health issues.”

As for Zeynab’s brother Mohammad, Gillespie said: “He wasn’t just a gifted thinker; he was a caring person and he applied his brilliance to help people in need.”

Amin Jebelli, who was pursuing a master’s degree in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Translational Research Program, was another student who was described by faculty and friends as someone who put the needs of others ahead of his own.

“He did everything for everybody, and didn’t think of himself,” Joesph Ferenbok, the program’s director, told U of T News last year.

Similarly, in the aftermath of the tragedy, friends of Abbasnezhad, a PhD student and teaching assistant in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, remarked on his unusual intelligence and kindness.

Deepa Kundur, chair of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering, talked about the impact on the community as she reflected on the anniversary of the crash.

“This singular tragedy was devastating to our ECE and engineering community, and I know the profound loss echoes across this country this week, as it will for decades to come,” Kundur said.

In the weeks after the plane crash, scholarship funds were established to honour the victims and support current and future Iranian scholars at the university, as well as students taking Iranian studies.

The Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund was the brainchild of David Palmer, U of T’s vice-president, advancement, and alumnus Rahim Rezaie, associate director of the International Virtual Engineering Student Teams Initiative at the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education & Practice at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, and Mehrdad Hariri, CEO and president of the Canadian Science Policy Centre.

All donations to the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund are matched by the university at a 3:1 rate until it reaches $250,000.

To date, nearly $156,000 has been donated to the Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Dr. Razgar Rahimi, Farideh Gholami, and Jiwan Rahimi Award, which is named for a young family who perished in the crash.

Mehrdad Jafari Raad, a doctoral student in the Faculty of Music and composer of concert music, was among the first recipients of the U of T scholarship for Iranian students. When he learned of the tragedy at the beginning of 2020, he was overcome with shock and sadness at the loss of students who had come to Canada to achieve their ambitions, just like him.

“Along with pursuing my dreams, I hope in some way, we are fulfilling some promise of those whose dreams were dashed,” he said.