Hooman Majd
Encyclopedia
Hooman Majd, born 1957 in Tehran
, is currently an Iranian-American
journalist and author based in New York City
, from where he makes frequest trips to Iran. Raised in a family involved in the diplomatic service, he attended boarding schools in England, and finished his college education in the United States of America.
His maternal grandfather was the Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Assar (1885-1975), who had been born in village Iraq "to an Iraqi mother and a Persian father". The Ayatollah, along with other contemporary ulema
, overcame traditional opposition to serve as a professor of philosophy at the University of Tehran
. His own father, whose origins were in village Iran, became representative of a "middle class" that was "pro-democratic and pro-modernization".
As a contributor to periodicals, Majd has written for GQ, The New York Times
, The New Republic
, The New Yorker
, Salon, the New York Observer
, and Interview, where he is also a contributing editor. Two of his books have been published:
Majd has also served as "an advisor and translator... on their trips to the United States and the United Nations" for two Iranian presidents
: the reforming, internationally oriented Seyed Mohammad Khatami (1997-2001, 2001-2005); and, the establishment nationalist and populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2009, 2009-present).
Evidently, following the controversial 2009 election in Iran
, Majd continues to enjoy access to its politicians and officials, especially to former President Khatami. Admittedlly "emotionally invested in the politics of the country", a stated goal of the author is to shed light on the elusive "truth about Iran" that is fair for all of its people.
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...
, is currently 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...
journalist and author based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, from where he makes frequest trips to Iran. Raised in a family involved in the diplomatic service, he attended boarding schools in England, and finished his college education in the United States of America.
His maternal grandfather was the Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Kazem Assar (1885-1975), who had been born in village Iraq "to an Iraqi mother and a Persian father". The Ayatollah, along with other contemporary ulema
Ulema
Ulama , also spelt ulema, refers to the educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in the several fields of Islamic studies. They are best known as the arbiters of shari‘a law...
, overcame traditional opposition to serve as a professor of philosophy at the University of Tehran
University of Tehran
The University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
. His own father, whose origins were in village Iran, became representative of a "middle class" that was "pro-democratic and pro-modernization".
As a contributor to periodicals, Majd has written for GQ, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, The New Republic
The New Republic
The magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
, The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, Salon, the New York Observer
New York Observer
The New York Observer is a weekly newspaper first published in New York City on September 22, 1987, by Arthur L. Carter, a very successful former investment banker with publishing interests. The Observer focuses on the city's culture, real estate, the media, politics and the entertainment and...
, and Interview, where he is also a contributing editor. Two of his books have been published:
- The Ayatollah Begs to Differ. The paradox of modern Iran (New York: Doubleday 2008).
- The Ayatollahs' Democracy. An Iranian challenge (New York: Norton 2010).
Majd has also served as "an advisor and translator... on their trips to the United States and the United Nations" for two Iranian presidents
President of Iran
The President of Iran is the highest popularly elected official in, and the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; although subordinate to the Supreme Leader of Iran, who functions as the country's head of state...
: the reforming, internationally oriented Seyed Mohammad Khatami (1997-2001, 2001-2005); and, the establishment nationalist and populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2009, 2009-present).
Evidently, following the controversial 2009 election in Iran
2009 Iranian election protests
Protests following the 2009 Iranian presidential election against the disputed victory of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and in support of opposition candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi occurred in major cities in Iran and around the world starting June 13, 2009...
, Majd continues to enjoy access to its politicians and officials, especially to former President Khatami. Admittedlly "emotionally invested in the politics of the country", a stated goal of the author is to shed light on the elusive "truth about Iran" that is fair for all of its people.
External links
- http://www.hoomanmajd.com/Hooman/Home_khanh.html