Ahmad Nafisi
Mayor of Tehran
In office
22 May 1962 – November 1963
MonarchMohammad Reza Pahlavi
Prime MinisterAli Amini
Personal details
Born1919
Died2004(2004-00-00) (aged 84–85)
SpouseNezhat Nafisi
ChildrenAzar Nafisi
Alma mater
AwardsLegion of Honour

Ahmad Nafisi (Persian: احمد نفیسی; 1919–2004) was an Iranian bureaucrat who briefly served as the mayor of Tehran between 1962 and 1963 and as director of the plan organization.[1] His career abruptly ended in 1963 when he was jailed. He was released from the prison in 1967 after he was cleared of all charges.

Biography

Nafisi was born in 1919.[1] He graduated from the University of Tehran and then from American University in Washington, D.C.[2]

On 22 May 1962 Nafisi was appointed by Prime Minister Ali Amini as the mayor of Tehran.[2] During his term French President Charles de Gaulle visited Tehran and awarded Nafisi with the Legion of Honour medal.[3] The French magazine Paris Match featured President de Gaulle and Nafisi following the visit.[3] Nafisi organized and hosted the opening meeting of the newly established association, Congress of Free Man and Women, on 27 August 1963.[2]

Nafisi was arrested in November 1963 and jailed for his alleged involvement in activities against the rule of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi[1][4] and for corruption claims.[3] It was also claimed that Nafisi had relations with the rebellious clergy.[5] He was found not to be guilty of doing something wrong and was released from prison in 1967.[3][6] Michael Axworthy argued that his imprisonment was a result of the Prime Minister Hassan Ali Mansur's jealousy of Nafisi.[5]

Nafisi married Nezhat Nafisi, and they had a daughter, Azar.[7] He died in 2004.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c Morteza Rasouli. "An Interview with Ahmad Nafisi, the former mayor of Tehran". Institute for Iranian Contemporary Studies. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Ali Rahnema (2021). The Rise of Modern Despotism in Iran: The Shah, the Opposition, and the US, 1953–1968. London: Oneworld Publications. pp. 624–625. ISBN 978-0-86154-143-0.
  3. ^ a b c d Afshin Matin-Asgari (September 2006). "Book review". Iranian Studies. 39 (3): 419–420. JSTOR 4311838.
  4. ^ Salameh Nematt (25 April 2017). "Family Secrets in Tehran". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b Michael Axworthy (2016). Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-19-046896-5.
  6. ^ Bill Lueders (2 March 2022). "A Life Well Read". The Progressive. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. ^ Kevin Howell (22 December 2008). "Monday Interview: Azar Nafisi on Things I've Been Silent About". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  8. ^ Janet Somerville (4 March 2022). "In 'Read Dangerously,' Azar Nafisi reminds us that great books can transcend prejudices". The Star. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
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