Firoozeh Dumas
Encyclopedia
Firoozeh Dumas (b. 1965 in Abadan
, Iran
) is an Iranian-American
writer.
Dumas began to write and submit essays to obtain money to go toward college.
At the age of seven, Dumas and her family moved to Whittier, California
. She later moved back to Iran and lived in Tehran
and Ahvaz
. However, she once again immigrated to the United States; first to Whittier, then to Newport Beach, California
. Kazem, her father, dominates many of her stories throughout her memoir Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America. She takes pride in her Iranian heritage, but at the same time, mocks her dad's fascination with "freebies" at Costco
and television shows like Bowling for Dollars
. Growing up, Dumas struggled to mix with her American classmates, who knew nothing about Iran. She also retells firsthand experiences of prejudice and racism from being Iranian in America during the Iranian Revolution
. However, throughout hardships, she emphasizes the significance of family strength and love in her life.
Dumas is a wife and mother. She is married to a frenchman. She often visits schools and churches (as for example in November 2008 at the Forum at Grace Cathedral
) to discuss her book and conduct book talks. As a result of Funny in Farsi's success, Firoozeh Dumas was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor
. Not only was she the first Iranian author to be nominated, she was also the first Asian author to hold such an honor.
Firoozeh became a hot topic when she challenged Ayaan Hirsi Ali
to a debate on women in Islam
. http://articles.latimes.com/2009/oct/17/opinion/oe-morrison17?pg=4
She is also the author of Laughing Without An Accent, which is a memoir containing a few stories about her childhood, but mostly stories about her adventures as an adult.
Abadan
Abadan is a city in and the capital of Abadan County, Khuzestan Province, Iran. It lies on Abadan Island , from the Persian Gulf, near the Iraqi-Iran border. The civilian population of the city dropped to near zero during the eight-years Iran–Iraq War. In 1992, only 84,774 had returned to live...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
) is an Iranian-American
Iranian-American
Iranian-Americans are Americans of Iranian ancestry or people possessing Iranian and American dual citizenship.Iranian-Americans are amongst the most highly educated groups in the United States...
writer.
Dumas began to write and submit essays to obtain money to go toward college.
At the age of seven, Dumas and her family moved to Whittier, California
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
. She later moved back to Iran and lived in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
and Ahvaz
Ahvaz
-History:For a more comprehensive historical treatment of the area, see the history section of Khūzestān Province.-Ancient history:Ahvaz is the anagram of "Avaz" and "Avaja" which appear in Darius's epigraph...
. However, she once again immigrated to the United States; first to Whittier, then to Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach, incorporated in 1906, is a city in Orange County, California, south of downtown Santa Ana. The population was 85,186 at the 2010 census.The city's median family income and property values consistently place high in national rankings...
. Kazem, her father, dominates many of her stories throughout her memoir Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America. She takes pride in her Iranian heritage, but at the same time, mocks her dad's fascination with "freebies" at Costco
Costco
Costco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
and television shows like Bowling for Dollars
Bowling for Dollars
Bowling for Dollars is a television game show on which people could play the sport of bowling to win cash and sometimes prizes based on how well they bowled....
. Growing up, Dumas struggled to mix with her American classmates, who knew nothing about Iran. She also retells firsthand experiences of prejudice and racism from being Iranian in America during the Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
. However, throughout hardships, she emphasizes the significance of family strength and love in her life.
Dumas is a wife and mother. She is married to a frenchman. She often visits schools and churches (as for example in November 2008 at the Forum at Grace Cathedral
Forum at Grace Cathedral
' is a series of stimulating conversations about faith and ethics in relation to the issues of our day. Leading public figures, musicians, theologians, economists, artists, scientists and writers bring some of the most innovative and interesting thinking to these public conversations at the...
) to discuss her book and conduct book talks. As a result of Funny in Farsi's success, Firoozeh Dumas was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor
Thurber Prize for American Humor
The Thurber Prize for American Humor, named after American humorist James Thurber, recognizes outstanding contributions in humor writing. The prize is given out by the Thurber House. It was first awarded irregularly, but since 2004 has been bestowed annually....
. Not only was she the first Iranian author to be nominated, she was also the first Asian author to hold such an honor.
Firoozeh became a hot topic when she challenged Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ayaan Hirsi Magan Ali is a Somali-Dutch feminist and atheist activist, writer, politician who strongly opposes circumcision and female genital cutting. She is the daughter of the Somali politician and opposition leader Hirsi Magan Isse and is a founder of the women's rights organisation the AHA...
to a debate on women in Islam
Women in Islam
The study of women in Islam investigates the role of women within the religion of Islam. The complex relationship between women and Islam is defined by Islamic texts, the history and culture of the Muslim world...
. http://articles.latimes.com/2009/oct/17/opinion/oe-morrison17?pg=4
She is also the author of Laughing Without An Accent, which is a memoir containing a few stories about her childhood, but mostly stories about her adventures as an adult.