Alavi Foundation, Rutgers University, and the New Conference on Iran
Jan 23rd, 2009By: Hassan Daioleslam
The Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Rutgers University will be hosting a two-day conference1 on the theme of “The Iranian Revolution: Thirty Years” on the weekend of February 7-8th, 2009. Judging by the selection of speakers and considering Rutgers’ past activities, we could predict another conference satisfying both the Iranian regime and those who crave for “coexistence” with the Iranian Ayatollahs.
This new Rutgers’ gathering is more troubling than a new conference favorable to the Mullahs. It is about the Iranian regime’s web of influence in the US. A few weeks ago, Farshid Jahedi, the president of New York based Alavi Foundation was arrested and jailed.2 The foundation is believed to have close ties to the Iranian regime.3
For the past 30 years, Alavi has been granting financial support to peoples and organizations around the US. The Rutgers University has in largely profited from the Alavi’s generosity receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The president of Rutgers Middle Eastern center has been Hooshang Amirahamdi4 who also bid for Iranian presidency5 in 2005. In November 2008, a few days to Obama’s victory, Amirahmadi traveled to Tehran and demanded increased support from the government. In an interesting interview with Etemad newspaper,6 he could not be clearer about the kind of activity he has been involved in. He openly and unequivocally admitted to lobbying for the Iranian regime.:
“There is clash between various regional [Middle East] lobbies. Israelites will fast gather around Obama . Arabs will also spend their money to get close to Obama. Unfortunately, Iran is very lonely in Washington, and those few, like us, who defend the Iranian rights, are subject of unkind hostility in Tehran. These gentlemen [in Iran] do not truly understand what they do, and how they weaken our position. As a result the field is left wide open for Israelis and Arabs and enemies of Iran. Firstly, Iran should realize that, and empower its friends in Washington, especially in the next one to two months, which is the time [to do it].
Iranian leaders should pay attention to what is going on, and strengthen their friends. They [Iranian leaders] should have confidence in, energize, and trust their friends [in Washington] so they enter the arena. This is very important. Therefore the next two or three months are the time to conquer Obama’s heart and mind and that of his teams. Anyone who acts faster will rest trouble free for the next 8 years. Anyone who does not go to that bazaar [marketplace] now, will have a tough time entering that bazaar in future.”
Let’s go back to the February conference at Rutgers. One of the speakers is Trita Parsi who worked for Amirahmadi in 2001.7 This makes the Rutgers story more puzzling. Similar to his former boss, Parsi is also suspected of lobbying for the Iranian regime. The governmental press in Iran has called him the “Iranian lobby in US”.8-9
On December 28, 2006 the governmental newspaper Aftab in Iran published an interview with Trita Parsi. In his introduction, the editor underlined the role of Parsi’s lobby on behalf of the Iranian regime. Next to Parsi’s photo, the article’s title seems interesting: “The Iranian Lobby Becomes Active?” The translation of parts of the paper follows: 8
“The conflict between Iran and the West on Iran’s nuclear file has entered a critical state. The government must now utilize all the possible resources to defend the national interest. In this, we have not paid enough attention to the potentially significant influence of the Iranian American society in moderating the extremist policies of the White House. In comparison of this untouched potential to the influence of the Jewish lobby in directing the policies of Washington in supporting Israel, we see the difference between what is and what could be. The role of unofficial diplomacy (lobbying) has been correctly underlined by experts
I personally experienced this favorable attitude from Tehran toward Parsi in April 2007 when I wrote my first article about him and NIAC. Several government-related newspapers came to defend Parsi and attacked me. One of them called NIAC the “Iranian lobby in Washington”.9
The Rutgers Conference highlights the troubling question of how the Iranian regime has been able to profit from US academic system. A shocking example is the recycling of former Iranian “diplomats” in prestigious American universities.
As I had already detailed in an article,10 three former Iranian deputy foreign ministers have been pursuing “cultural” and “academic” careers in Boston. Abbas Maleki, A former revolutionary guard, a high ranking Iranian diplomat, was until last year a senior fellow at Harvard.11 “Professor” Maleki, has been the Deputy foreign minister (1989-1997), advisor to the Supreme Leader until 2003 and the director of International Affairs at the Expediency Council until 2006.
The case with two other diplomats is more interesting. Olega Davidson was a board member of American Iranian Council12 that was founded by Amirahamdi whom we introduced earlier in this article. Then, Davisdon founded the Ilex foundation in Boston. The Co-founder and trustee of this “cultural” foundation has been M. J. Mahallati.13 He was Iranian ambassador to the UN and a deputy foreign minister. Surprisingly, another Iranian deputy minister, Farhad Atai is also working in Ilex foundation. Both former diplomats have been also pursuing academic careers in American universities.
At a time when the US and its allies are trying to curb the Iranian regime’s influence in the Middle East, it would be also wise to consider the real question of Iranian regime’s web of influence in the US.
Notes:
1- http://mideast.rutgers.edu/EVENTS/Upcoming%20Events/Final1.pdf
2- http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/December08/jahediarrestpr.pdf
3- According to Alavi’s financial reports, the Rutgers received $238,600 in 2005-6 and $40,500 in 2006-7
2006-7 report: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2007/237/345/2007-237345978-039f3f52-F.pdf
2005-6 report: http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2006/237/345/2006-237345978-02d06414-F.pdf
4- Amirahmadi at Rutgers http://ur.rutgers.edu/experts/index.php?a=display&f=expert&id=1100
5- Amirahmadi’s bio by himself at http://www.amirahmadi.org/pages/php/bio.php
6- Etemad newspaper, taken by Emrooz, Nov. 12, 2008, http://emruz.net/ShowItem.aspx?ID=18725&p=1
7- Parsi was AIC’s development director in 2001 http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/2002/May/Group/
8- Aftab News: http://www.aftabnews.ir/vdccpoq2biqpp.html
9- See the six following Iranian regime controlled newspapers:
http://www.qudsdaily.com/archive/1386/html/2/1386-02-01/page61.html
http://www.alef.ir/content/view/7756/
http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8601280492
http://www.emammahdi.com/news/watr.asp?sys=110&subof=1&bakhsh=8&NewsID=857
http://old.tebyan.net/teb.aspx?nId=28205
http://www.javannewspaper.com/1386/860130/world.htm
10- An Iranian Embassy in Boston, June 09, 2008 http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/64492
11- Maleki at Harvard: http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/experts/878/abbas_maleki.html
12- AIC’s board members at: http://www.american-iranian.org/home.php?mains=2&subs=14
13- Ilex board members at http://ilexfoundation.org/whowe/index.html
“Islamic Revolution-Is the Only Solution,”
“Neither East nor West-Islam Is the Best,”
“Quds Is a Muslim Land-Its Return We Demand,”
“Zionism Is Racism,” and an expression of loyalty to Iran’s Supreme Islamic Guide, `Ali Khamene`i: “Our Leader Khamene`i–Long Live Khamene`i.”
These were the slogans chanted in a demonstration in Seattle (among other cities), as “Day of Quds” was observed in 1998. Among the organizations that cosponsored this event, was Islamic Center of Portland. (see http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=3133321&ct=2195669)
The Imam of Islamic Center of Portland arrested by FBI. FBI agents consider the Islamic Center one of the most radical mosques in the country.
“Luggage carried by Kariye’s brother allegedly tested positive for traces of TNT. Kariye, the imam of the Islamic Center of Portland, was arrested on a sealed indictment issued last week by a grand jury.” (see http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/specialreports/jihad/s_90847.html )
“According to an accompanying motion filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the affidavit sets forth “direct evidence” linking Kariye to the so-called Portland Seven alleged terror cell plot. The filings are the first time the government has publicly accused Kariye of being involved in the alleged plan by seven local Muslims to wage war against the United States.” (see http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=19688 )
What is the significance or the relevance of the above to the Alavi Foundation, you say? Well, according to Article VI of the Islamic Center of Portland:
“Upon the dissolution of The Islamic Center of Portland, all assets including bank
funds under the organizations name or ownership shall be transferred to Alavi
Foundation (not- for –profit) of New York address: Alavi Foundation 500 Fifth Ave,
New York NY 10110. subject to the rules and regulations of the State of Oregon and
IRS 501(C) (3) governing non—profit organizations.” (see http://icppdx.googlepages.com/ICOP_Constitution.pdf )
Doesn’t the above suggest that the Islamic Center of Portland is totally owned and perhaps funded by Alavi Foundation? If so, considering that Alavi Foundation’s Mission statement does not claim to be a political organization, isn’t it bizarre that the organization they support, the Islamic Center of Portland, is beating the drums of the mullahs in Seattle, at least?
In Portland, Oregon, Islamic Center of Portland is not the only organization that appears to have been supported by Alavi Foundation. In 2004-2005, Alavi Foundation donated $18,000 to Persian Studies Program at Portland State University (see http://www.alavifoundation.org/990-pf-2004.PDF ). During 2006-2007, Alavi Foundation made another donation to PSU (see http://www.pdx.edu/media/g/i/give_2honorroll07.pdf ). During 2007-2008, Alavi Foundation was among the “Voyager Circle” who had donated between $100,000-$499,999 to Portland State University. (see http://www.pdx.edu/media/g/i/give_2008honorroll.pdf ).
Interestingly, much pro-mullah seminars, Islamic classes and suspicious political activities goe on at PSU. Equally as puzzling is that Persian Studies is also the same as Persia House headed by Kazem Tehrani (see http://www.persia.pdx.edu/ ). Persia House has also been organizing, or shall we say, taken over the community’s New Year and Sizdeh Bedar celebrations, during which no “Lion and Sun” flag of Iran is allowed. Not so surprisingly, among the selected list of scholars suggested by Kazem Tehrani or Persian Studies or Persia House, you can see the names: Ervand Abrahamian, Hamid Dabashi and Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak 🙂
Let’s hope that Iranian community in Portland would not fall for the so-called independent NGOs in Portland and stop legitimizing such fake organization. Let’s hope that Portland community would boycott such organization’s celebrations and begin to organize their own New Year and Sizdehbedar.
Hassan Daioleslam stated that: “The president of Rutgers Middle Eastern center has been Hooshang Amirahamdi4 who also bid for Iranian presidency5 in 2005. In November 2008, …”. What puzzles me is that Mr. Daioleslam has not done his homework before writing this article. Dr. Amirahmadi is no longer director of this center and Professor Jawid Mojaddedi has been director of this center for the past 8 months.
Before Mr. Daioleslam, who accuses everyone as an agent of Mulla or Jew or CIA should know that professor Mojaddedi is from Afghanistan and is not an Iranian. Knowing Hassan Dailoeslam (because of his last name one might accuses him also agent of Mulla, soon will come up with accusing Professor Mojaddedi of something totally out of
هوشنگ امیر احمدی:مسئله تروریسم واقعا یک افسانه است. برای اینکه ایران در جریان های تروریستی نقشی نداشته است. نه حزب الله و نه حماس هیچ کدام تروریست نیستند و دو نیرویی هستند که از ملت و کشور خود دفاع می کنند، بنابراین کمک به آنها هم کمک به تروریسم نیست.
Amirahmadi: The issue of Terrorism is a tale. Because Iran has not had any role in terrorist activities. Neither Hezbollah nor Hamas are terrorists thus helping them is not helping terrorism. (see http://www.asriran.com/fa/pages/?cid=38079)
I really like to know why is my hard earned tax money used to bail out AIG who sponsored AIC. Did AIG know that the head of AIC, Hooshang Amirahmadi, does not consider Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorists and helping these terror groups is not so wrong. Does this mean, perhaps, AIG is of the same opinion and that some of the money AIC received from many of its sponsors was also passed on to Hezbollah and Hamas? Or are entities such as AIG also involved in financial terrorism to break the back of America and get bailed out by our tax money?
Alavi Foundation, Portland State University, and the upcoming forum/symposium on Iran with Trita Parsi
Thanks to Mr. Dai and PAIC for the above article titled: “Alavi Foundation, Rutgers University, and the New Conference on Iran” . This article informs us of Alavi Foundation, Rutgers University, Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Rutgers University and Trita Parsi. Please see the below email from Goudarz Eghtedari in Portland, Oregon.
The below email by Goudarz Eghtedari (aka. as Ali Goudarz Eghtedari), the founder and head of “American Iranian Friendship Council (aka. AIFC, http://www.aifcpdx.com ) reveals that Rutgers University is not the only beneficiary of Alavi Foundation rather the “Middle East Studies Center at Portland State University” is involved in duplication of mullah appeasement efforts that “Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Rutgers University” is.
The mullah lobby in America is not only limited to East Coast, rather it is evident that it is well organized and funded all the way to the West Coast.
Morteza
———————————————————————————————————————————————
From: Goudarz Eghtedari
Subject: [iranpdx_news] Iran 30 years after the revolution. (Corrected Form)
To: iranpdx_news@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 4:51 PM
Please disregard our previous e-mail, there was a technical problem with the registration form.
Please use the instruction in this e-mail. Thanks!
The 30th Anniversary of the Iranian Revolution
The World Affairs Council, the Middle East Studies Center at Portland State University, and the American Iranian Friendship Council present a special forum/symposium with:
Former US Diplomat Henry Precht and Dr. Trita Parsi
February marks the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. One of the most significant events in the Middle East in the 20th century, it dramatically changed the balance of power in the region and created ongoing challenges for US policy.
Henry Precht was chief of the Iran Desk at the US State Department during the years of the Revolution and the hostage crisis. He also co-chaired the Gulf 2000 project at Columbia University which studies security and strategic developments in the Persian Gulf.
Dr. Trita Parsi is author of Treacherous Alliances-The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel, and the United States, and the recipient of the Council on Foreign Relations’ 2008 Arthur Ross Silver Medallion. He is a frequent commentator on Gulf issues for public television.
Event Information:
Date and Time:
Saturday, 28 February 2009
2:00-4:30 p.m.
Location:
Portland State University
Smith Memorial Student Union
Room 327
Students | Free:
WAC Members and Non-members,
AIFC members | $5:
Register for this event, click here!
Space is limited, so sign up today!
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets will not be mailed for this event. PRE-PAID REGISTRATION REQUIRED. All paid reservations must be made by Noon on the day of the event.
If you are not currently a World Affairs Council of Oregon Member, you may sign-up now by visiting our membership page.
5
This message was sent from Goudarz Eghtedari to iranpdx_news@ egroups.com. It was sent from: American Iranian Friendship Council, P.O. Box 1235, Portland, OR 97207-1235. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below.
Just released :
According to Fars News, a regime lobbies in the US from AIFC was arrested by the FBI
I can’t wait to see NIAC organizers and other Rafsanjani linked lobbyists arrested
دستگیری گروهی از لابی های رژیم در آمریکا
چهارشنبه، ۰۷ مهر ۱۳۸۹ / ۲۹ سپتامبر ۲۰۱۰
یک لابی رژیم در مصاحبه با خبرگزاری سپاه پاسداران از تظاهرات طرفداران قلابی صلح در آمریکا (کمیته دوستی ایرانیان و آمریکاییان ـ AIFC) در اعتراض به دستگیری لابی های رژیم توسط پلیس فدرال آمریکا خبر داد.
خبرگزاری فارس: یک فعال ضد جنگ در آمریکا از برگزاری تظاهراتی بسیار گسترده در شهرهای سراسر این کشور در اعتراض به نقض حقوق مدنی در این کشور و همچنین دستگیری برخی از فعالان ضدجنگ توسط پلیس فدرال آمریکا خبر داد.
“الینور عمانی “، عضو موسس کمیته دوستی ایرانیان و آمریکاییان ” (AIFC) در گفتوگو با فارس تأکید کرد: تظاهرات گستردهای در بسیاری از شهرها در سراسر آمریکا در اعتراض به نقض حقوق مدنی در این کشور و همچنین اقدامات اخیر پلیس فدرال آمریکا (افبیآی) در یورش به منازل تعدادی از فعالان ضدجنگ در این کشور امروز برگزار میشود.