Zahra Eshraghi Explained

Zahra Eshraghi
Native Name:Persian: زهرا اشراقی
Birth Place:Tehran, Imperial State of Iran
Spouse:Mohammad Reza Khatami
Children:Alireza, Fatemeh[1]
Parents:Shahab od-Din Eshraghi
Sedigheh Khomeini

Zahra Eshraghi Khomeini (fa|زهرا اشراقی|translit=''Zahrâ Eshrâqi'') (born 1964) is an Iranian activist and former government official.

Early life and education

Eshraghi was born in 1964. She is the granddaughter of Ayatollah Khomeini.[2] She is a philosophy graduate.[3]

Views

Zahra Eshraghi wants the wearing of headscarves to no longer be compulsory. She believes that: "Our (Iran's) constitution still says that the man is the boss and the woman is a loyal wife who sacrifices herself for her family. But society here has changed, especially in the last 10 years. If my grandfather were here now, I am sure he would have had very different ideas."

She also stated "The constitution my grandfather approved says that only a man can be president... We would like to change the wording from 'man' to 'anyone'. But discrimination here is not just in the constitution. As a woman, if I want to get a passport to leave the country, have surgery, even breathe almost, I must have permission from my husband."[4]

Personal life

In 1983, Eshraghi married Mohammad-Reza Khatami, former head of the Islamic Iran Participation Front, the main reformist party in Iran and younger brother of former president Mohammad Khatami.[5] They have two children, a daughter, Fatemeh, and a son, Ali.

Politics

In 2004, Eshraghi was blocked from running for parliament by the Guardian council, which vets the parliamentary candidates.[6] [7]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: سرگذشت فرزندان آیت الله خمینی.
  2. News: Khomeini’s Granddaughter On Iran’s ‘Critical Situation,’ Sanctions, Facebook. 20 February 2013. Radio Free Europe. 15 January 2013.
  3. News: Khomeini’s granddaughter fights for women’s rights. 20 February 2013. The Washington Times. 18 June 2005. Tehran.
  4. News: Freeman. Colin. 'If I want to breathe I must have permission from my husband'. 20 February 2013. The Telegraph. 19 June 2005. Tehran.
  5. News: Sciolino. Elaine. Daughter of the Revolution Fights the Veil. 9 October 2012. The New York Times. 2 April 2003.
  6. Web site: 2016-02-12 . Iran’s Revolutionary Grandchildren . 2022-05-05 . The New Yorker . en-US.
  7. Web site: The Guardian Council Iran Data Portal . 2022-05-05 . en-US.