Historians asked to rally behind Iranian scholar fired for "ideological nonconformity"
Scholars at Risk (SAR), based at New York University, is a worldwide network promoting academic freedom and defending the human rights of scholars, in part by arranging temporary placements for scholars who suffer grave threats to their work or their person. SAR is sending us a summary profile of an Iranian historian working in the field of Iranian and Turkish history, who was dismissed in January 2008 because he had published a Farsi translation of a biography of Ali Shariati. Threatened openly with violence, he is currently seeking assistance. Perhaps your university could accomodate our colleague. Thank you.
P.S. For earlier mentions of sociologist and historian Ali Shariati (1933–77), see NCH Annual Reports, nos. 32 (2003), 23 (2001), 10 (1998), 6 (1997), and 5 (1996).
With best wishes,
Antoon De Baets
(Network of Concerned Historians)
SCHOLARS AT RISK NETWORK
IRAN-543
FIELD: Iranian and Turkish History
M/F: Male
LANGUAGES: Farsi (fluent), Turkish (fluent), Arabic (fluent), English (intermediate), French (intermediate)
RISK: Loss of profession, Censorship
EDUCATION: PhD, History of Islamicate Iran, Iran
ACADEMICS & EXPERIENCE:
This candidate is a scholar and intellectual from Iran who specializes in Early Modern and Modern Iranian and Turkish History. He holds a PhD in the History of Islamicate Iran from the National University of Iran. Fluent in three languages and proficient in two others, the scholar has translated a biography of Ali Shariati, which was published, and he is currently working on translations of two books on the Ottoman Empire written in English. He has been an assistant professor in the Department of History at Ferdowski University of Mashhad for two years, until he was dismissed in January of 2008. The scholar seeks opportunities abroad to teach and continue his research on Iranian and Turkish history in safety.
STATEMENT OF THREAT/RISK:
Reportedly, due to his ideological differences with the Iranian government, this scholar has been dismissed from his post at the Ferdowski University of Mashhad and is unable to secure work in Iran. Because of the publication of the scholar’s Farsi translation of the book An Islamic Utopian: A Political Biography of Ali Shariati, written by Professor Ali Rahnema of the American University of Paris, the candidate has been labeled an “ideological non-conformist.” The government has revoked the permit for the Farsi version of the book since 2005. The scholar has reportedly been questioned by a security officer about his research and writings, and he has been threatened openly with violence if he continues to conflict with the government’s beliefs. In addition, after establishing contact with Professor John Woods at the University of Chicago, the scholar has been accused of having “suspicious relationships with foreigners.” As both a secular and liberal professor, the scholar continues to face pressure from the Iranian government. The Iranian government has firm control over the process of book publication: Publishers and authors must secure permits directly from the government, limiting the scholar’s ability to make a living as an independent researcher. He currently seeks an opportunity abroad to continue his research and teach at a university.
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE:
**CV
**References
**Statement of risk
**Publications list
SUITABLE HOSTING ARRANGEMENTS (in the field of Iranian and Turkish History) FOR THIS SCHOLAR MIGHT INCLUDE:
**Teaching arrangements: teaching (full load); teaching (reduced load); co-teaching &/or guest lecturing;
**Other hosting arrangements: research; lectures, talks, & other events.