For L.A.'s Iranian American community, the World Cup means much more than soccer games

- For many, the World Cup gives people a chance to sideline politics and unite under the feel-good umbrella of sports diplomacy. In the current geopolitical climate, fat chance of that. -Melissa Etehad, Los Angeles Times - 6/16/18

51 Organizations Demand Congressional Oversight of Trump's Muslim Ban and Extreme Vetting

- On the eve of a potential decision by the Supreme Court on Trump's Muslim ban, fifty-one organizations representing millions of Americans have signed a letter calling on Congress to take necessary steps to obtain full information about the Trump Administration implementation of it's Muslim Ban and "extreme vetting" policies. -NIAC Action - 6/15/18

IRAN: MPs Propose An Amnesty For Diaspora Iranians

- The Islamic Republic's parliament (Majles) has drafted a double emergency motion to declare general amnesty and judicial immunity for diaspora Iranians. Meanwhile, the motion has also called for restricting death penalty across the country. - 6/15/18

IAPAC Endorses Anna Eskamani for Florida House 47

- The Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), the connected PAC of the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, proudly announces its support for Anna Eskamani for Florida House 47. A first generation Iranian American and an Orlando native, Anna Eskamani grew up in a working-class family who struggled to make ends meet. She has a twin sister, an older brother, and a caring father, but when she was 13 years old, Anna lost her mother to cancer. This loss in her family, coupled with the challenges her parents faced, inspires Anna to work hard for the most marginalized members of her community. - 6/4/18

Bijan Safai, M.D., D.Sc. Receives the Honorary Science Doctorate Bestowed by New York College of Podiatric Medicine

- Bijan Safai, M.D., D.Sc. Chair and Professor of Dermatology at New York Medical College, received the prestigious D.Sc. Honoris Causa bestowed upon him by New York College of Podiatric Medicine at their May 2018 Commencement. Dr. Safai was recognized for his seminal contributions, prolific scholarships and clinical and humanitarian practice, his seminal role on advances in dermatology, immunology and cancer, his practice of specialized dermatology, and his pivotal founding leadership role in Physician Affiliate Group of New York. - 5/31/18

Vida Ghaffari is the First Iranian-American to be inducted in the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame

- On Saturday, May 19th, actress Vida Ghaffari (The Mindy Project, Jimmy Kimmel Live) and many celebrities and luminaries in the martial arts world were inducted into the prestigious USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame at their gala at the Doubletree Hilton in Los Angeles. Ghaffari was bestowed with the Trailblazer Award. She is the first person of Iranian descent to be inducted. - 5/23/18

NYC's Premier Farsi Funk Band, Mitra Sumara, Announces New Album TAHDIG

- Mitra Sumara, New York City's only Farsi Funk group, is proud to announce their debut album Tahdig, set for release on June 8, 2018 on Persian Cardinal Recordings. This international party band revives the vibrant Persian pop and funk music silenced by the Iranian Revolution. The popular music of Iran in the 60s and 70s combined disco, funk, and Latin beats with Middle Eastern melodies and poetic lyrics. Mitra Sumara interprets hits by Iran's beloved singers such as Googoosh, Soli, Leila Forouhar, and remakes intoxicating Southern Iranian Bandari beat tunes. - 5/18/18

With $1 million gift from Farhang Foundation, UCLA plans to create new minor in Iranian music

- The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music will begin the process of establishing an academic minor in Iranian music with a generous $1 million gift from Farhang Foundation. A signing ceremony on April 27 at UCLA commemorated the gift. - 5/17/18

NIAC Requests U.S. Government Issue Exemption to Allow Mail to Iran

- With many Iranian Americans finding in recent months that their mail to family in Iran is being returned to them with obscure instructions from the U.S. Postal Service, NIAC has taken formal action to call on the U.S. government to once again allow Americans to send mail to Iran. - 5/3/18

Iran Detains Another Iranian British Citizen, Computer Scientist and Antiwar Activist Abbas Edalat

- Abbas Edalat, an Iranian British academic and antiwar activist based in London, has been detained in Iran since April 15, 2018, after being arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Edalat, a professor of computer science and mathematics at the Imperial College in London, had traveled to Iran from his home in London at an unknown date to attend an academic workshop. - 4/26/18

Philanthropist Bita Daryabari Receives Honorary Doctorate And Delivers Golden Gate University Commencement Address On April 27, 2018

- Award-winning philanthropist and humanitarian Bita Daryabari has been selected as the 2018 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Human Letters from her alma mater, Golden Gate University (GGU), where she will also deliver the commencement address on Friday, April 27, 2018. - 4/18/18

The Iranian American Women Foundation Launches New Los Angeles Chapter and Presents 16th IAWF Women's Leadership Conference on April 29, 2018, in Los Angeles

- The Iranian American Women Foundation (IAWF)-the only non-profit organization providing networking and mentorship services to women of Iranian descent across all professional industries-launches its Los Angeles Chapter and also presents the 16th IAWF Women's Leadership Conference in Los Angeles on April 29, 2018. Azita Raji, the first female U.S. ambassador to Sweden, and the first Iranian-born American to serve as a U.S. ambassador, will keynote the event. - 4/12/18

Iranian-American Woman Nazak Nikakhtar Becomes U.S. Assistant Commerce Secretary

- An Iranian-American lawyer on Tuesday sworn in as U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for industry and analysis affairs. On March 19, the U.S. Senate agreed to appoint Nazak Nikakhtar as the assistant secretary of commerce for industry and analysis affairs. - 4/5/18

Iranian-American Organizations File Amicus Brief In Supreme Court Travel Ban Case

- PARS Equality Center, The Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), and the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) have filed an amicus ('friend of the court") brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of the challenge to the Trump administration's third travel ban. - 3/31/18

Momeni Foundation is accepting applications for the year 2018 Academic Scholarships

- Momeni Foundation is dedicated to providing scholarships to graduating high school students and full time college students of Iranian descent anywhere in the world. Scholastic Achievement Scholarship - At least three (3 ea.) scholarships for an amount of $1,000.00 dollars each will be awarded to students that are graduating from high school and plan to attend college in Fall of 2018. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents of United States. - 3/31/18

Iranian Receives U.S. Visa To Help Brother With Cancer

- An Iranian man has been allowed to travel to the United States to donate bone marrow to his U.S. citizen brother with blood cancer, the family's lawyer says. Kamiar Hashemi was granted a visa by the U.S. State Department, obtaining a rare waiver to President Donald Trump's travel ban, Mahsa Khanbabai said on March 29. -Radio Farda - 3/30/18

Coalition of 10 Iranian American Organizations Hosts Nowruz Celebration in Washington, DC

- On March 15th, 2018, PAAIA joined nine other Iranian American organizations to host the 4th Annual Community Nowruz celebration at the Carnegie Institution for Science. Along with delicious Persian cuisine, a gorgeous Haftseen, and celebratory Persian music, the event featured addresses by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Jamie Raskin, and founder of HealthEZ and IAPAC board member Nazie Eftekhari. - 3/25/18

Iranian American Groups Urge Trump Admin to Investigate "Targeting" of Civil Servant Sahar Nowrouzzadeh

- Seven Iranian American organizations including the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) have called on the Trump administration to investigate credible allegations that career government employee Sahar Nowrouzzadeh was demoted from a top advisory position because "high level officials at the White House and State Department worked with a network of conservative activists to conduct a 'cleaning' of employees" including Nowrouzzadeh. - 3/23/18

Yolo County in Sacramento, California proclaims Tuesday, March 20, 2018 as Iranian-American Day

- WHEREAS, Iranian/Persian history dates back to 2,000 B.C. The people of Iran have celebrated Noruz, the New Year, on the first day of spring for 3,000 years; and WHEREAS, the Iranian people have a long tradition of tolerance and respect for human rights, including the establishment, in 550 8.C., of the earliest significant monarchy that contributed to the civilization of the world, under Cyrus the Great. Cyrus the Great freed the Jewish people from Babylonian oppression; and - 3/21/18

This business owner learned to take risks at a young age

- Anoosheh Oskouian, 54, is chief executive of Ship & Shore Environmental Inc., a multimillion-dollar Signal Hill company that makes pollution-reducing equipment. The firm also helps cut energy costs and develop energy alternatives for U.S. and foreign industrial companies. -Los Angeles Times - 3/15/18

Sacramento developer Ali Youssefi, instrumental in downtown resurgence, dies at age 35

- Ali Youssefi, a dynamic young developer involved in some of Sacramento's most important projects during its current renaissance, died Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 35 - 3/12/18

PAAIA Mourns the Loss of Founding Member, Dr. Bahman Atefi

- PAAIA joins the Iranian American Community in mourning the loss of Dr. Bahman Atefi, who passed away suddenly in his home on Monday night. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and all those who knew him. Born in Tehran, Iran in March 1953, Dr. Atefi came to the United States to study at Cornell University where he received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Later, he earned his Doctorate of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). - 3/8/18

A NOBLE LIFE: Tribute to Dr Farhang Mehr

- The recent passing away of Dr Farhang Mehr on 4 March 2018 brought to an end a vibrant, tumultuous and productive life that spanned 94 years. Born in Tehran on 11 December 1923, he had been raised by his parents as a Zoroastrian. From an early age he had been a top student at the Firooz Bahram High School where he had also dabbled in music developing an interest in playing the violin and learning ballroom dancing. An educated man with Iranian degrees in engineering, law, economics and political science he had also received several Western degrees in England and America. Like many of his generation he had partaken in the rapid modernization of his ancient and proud country. -Cyrus Kadivar - 3/8/18

The Non-Existent Waiver Process Under Trump's Muslim Ban

- The National Iranian American Council is appalled by the revelation that, despite the Trump Administration's claims that there is a "waiver" process to ensure his Muslim ban does not target family members of Americans, only two such waivers had been issued by Feb. 15 - out of 8,406 visa applications from "banned" countries. NIAC applauds the efforts of Senators Jeff Flake and Chris Van Hollen, who uncovered this information as part of an inquiry to the State Department. - 3/7/18

Uber CEO: Trump is ruining America's most valuable brand

- Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has lived the American Dream. Now he thinks President Trump is ruining it. "I'm incredibly lucky to have emigrated to the United States at a time when the US was welcoming," said Khosrowshahi, who came to the country as an Iranian refugee at the age of 9. -CNN - 3/1/18

IAAB v. Trump Muslim Ban Plaintiffs File Petition with the United States Supreme Court

- On Friday, the plaintiffs in Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) v. Trump joined plaintiffs in two other cases in filing a petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. The parties have asked the Court to review their cases and are seeking an expedited briefing schedule so that the cases may be heard along with Hawaii v. Trump, another challenge to President Trump's Muslim ban, that is set for argument on April 25, 2018. - 2/27/18

Muslim Ban Plaintiffs Celebrate IAAB v. Trump Ruling: We Continue On Together

- Today (February 15, 2018), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Va., upheld the Maryland district court's order blocking implementation of the Muslim Ban in three consolidated cases, Iranian Alliances Across Borders v. Trump, IRAP v Trump, and Zakzok v Trump. This ruling is a significant victory for the many individuals and families whose lives are still hanging in the balance. - 2/16/18

MENA Category Rejected by US Census Bureau Despite Clear Benefits

- The US Census Bureau once again declined to add a Middle East and North African (MENA) category for the 2020 census. Many Americans of Middle-Eastern descent, including Iranian Americans, have for decades sought the additional category so that the census more accurately reflects America's mosaic of different cultures and the voices of Iranian Americans are not ignored by lawmakers. - 2/9/18

PAAIA and Iranian American Coalition Works with Senators to Seek Clarification of the Travel Ban "Waiver" Process

- Today Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) sent a bipartisan letter to the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to seek clarification on the "waiver provisions" outlined in President Trump's latest Travel Ban. This letter comes after the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), Pars Equality Center, and their legal counsels discussed the issue with Senator Van Hollen's office. - 2/1/18

NIAC Calls For Immediate Accountability For Officers Involved In The Fatal Shooting Of Bijan Ghaisar

- The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) issued the following statement in response to the release of video footage recorded by Fairfax County Police Department depicting the last moments of Bijan Ghaisar's life before he was shot to death by officers. - 1/25/18

PAAIA Emerging Leader, Yassamin Ansari, Discusses the Importance of Supporting Iranian American Candidates for Public Office

- Yassamin Ansari, a member of PAAIA's Emerging Leaders program, an initiative designed to engage the next generation of Iranian Americans in policy and public service, recently spoke with PAAIA about the importance of supporting Iranian American candidates for public office. Ansari recently hosted a fundraiser for Kia Hamadanchy, an Iranian American candidate running for Congress (CA-45). If successful, Hamadanchy could become the first Iranian American ever elected to Congress. - 12/26/17

First-Time New York State Senate Candidate Sarmad Khojasteh Launches Website to Raise Awareness, Introduce Himself to Voters

- New York State Senate candidate Sarmad Khojasteh (R) today officially launched his website www.sarmad4ny.com and social media accounts, further raising awareness about his candidacy, and to introduce himself to voters, outline policy positions, and raise money in preparation for the upcoming Special Election for the 37th District Senate Seat. - 12/22/17

The Conference that Challenged Trump's Travel Ban

- We are pleased to announce the return of the IAAB Conference in 2018! In partnership with the Hagop Kevorkian Center at New York University, IAAB's International Conference on the Iranian Diaspora will be held April 21-22, 2018 at New York University School of Law. - 11/30/17

Iran urges immediate probe into US police killing of young Iranian-American man

- Iran's Interests Section in Washington has called for an immediate investigation into the recent suspicious killing of a young Iranian man by US police, who have failed to provide justifiable reason for the fatal shooting. The United States Park Police officers shot Iranian-American man Bijan C. Ghaisar three times in the head in the state of Virginia on the evening of November 17. The police alleged that the 25-year-old man had been involved in a hit-and-run accident. He died Monday night after 10 days on life support. - 11/30/17

Earthquake-ravaged Iranians receive aid with help from Facebook

- Rendered numb from the news of a devastating earthquake in his home country, it took just an hour before Tohid Najafi, a Detroit-based Iranian medical professional, launched a Facebook fundraiser. -ABC News - 11/24/17

PAAIA Interviews Sanctions Attorney, Erich Ferrari, on Providing Earthquake Relief to the Iranian People

- In the wake of last Sunday's tragic earthquake in the Kermanshah region of Iran, Iranian Americans have gone to great lengths to help with the relief efforts, including taking to social media to help raise funds for earthquake relief. Unfortunately, many were surprised and confused by fraudulent charities popping up on social media, taking advantage of this tragedy and undermining the good will of Iranian Americans. - 11/24/17

US Announces Ways To Provide Help For Quake Victims In Iran

- U.S. Department of the Treasury officially highlighted on Tuesday, November 14, the ways in which Americans can provide humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people. "In light of the tragic earthquake in Iran, we would like to highlight some of the ways in which Americans can provide humanitarian assistance to the Iranian people, consistent with the Iran-related sanctions administered by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)" U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran cited OFAC as saying. - 11/15/17

U.S. Court Allows Ban On Some Travelers From Iran, Other Countries To Take U.S. President Donald Trump signing his original executive order on travel

- A U.S. appeals court is allowing President Donald Trump's latest executive order barring certain travelers from Iran and five other predominantly Muslim countries to take effect. The ruling on November 13 upholds the part of Trump's September 24 order which bars entry by people from Iran and the other countries if they do not have close connections in the United States. - 11/14/17

UCLA receives $1 million for Elahe Omidyar Mir-Djalali postdoctoral fellowship in Iranian linguistics

- Adonation of $1 million from Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute will establish the Elahe Omidyar Mir-Djalali Postdoctoral Fellowship in Iranian Linguistics in the UCLA Department of Linguistics, one of the nation's top-ranked linguistics departments. - 11/7/17

California Governor Jerry Brown appoints Iranian-American Woman Nahal Iravani-Sani as Judge in Santa Clara County Superior Court

- "PAAIA congratulates Nahal Iravani-Sani on her appointment to a judgeship in Santa Clara County. As an immigrant from Iran, Iravani-Sani has faced injustice and adversity, only to reinforce her commitment to fairness and equality and heighten her appreciation of the freedoms and opportunities her adopted country affords its citizens. For over twenty years, Iravani-Sani has been representing the people of the State of California in a variety of capacities, including as Deputy District Attorney." - 11/4/17

Iranian-American Organizations and Individual Plaintiffs File Supplement to Lawsuit Challenging Trump's Travel Ban 3.0

- Three prominent Iranian-American organizations and 16 individuals have filed legal papers challenging President Trump's October 24th Executive Order, which they argue targets refugees from Iran and 10 other African and Middle Eastern countries. The papers are a supplement to the Motion for Preliminary Injunction the groups filed earlier this month against the Trump Administration's Travel Ban 3.0. - 10/27/17

Interview: Iranian American Candidate for Atlanta City Council, Liliana Bakhtiari

- Two Iranian Americans are campaigning for seats on the Atlanta City Council - Amir Farokhi is running in District Two, and Liliana Bakhtiari is running in District Five. Recently, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) had the opportunity to interview Liliana Bakhtiari about her campaign. The election, which will be held on November 7th, marks the first time Bakhtiari has ran for public office. - 10/26/17

Judge blocks Trump's latest travel ban order

- A federal judge in Hawaii has blocked the latest version of President Donald Trump's travel ban. U.S. District Court Judge Derrick Watson granted a temporary restraining order Tuesday, concluding that Trump appeared to run afoul of federal immigration law when he issued a proclamation last month restricting travel to the U.S. by citizens of eight countries. -Josh Gerstein, Politico - 10/18/17

Iranian-American Organizations Deplore Trump's Attack On Iran Nuclear Agreement

- Several Iranian-American organizations have issued statements deploring President Donald Trump's decertification of Iran Nuclear Agreement (JCPOA) and criticizing his aggressive Iran policy. "Trump's speech was a national disgrace. This isn't an effort to stiff a contractor over a real estate project, it's a matter of war and peace. Donald Trump is in way over his head," said Dr. Trita Parsi, President of the National Iranian American Council. - 10/14/17

Lawsuit Argues Trump's Latest Travel Ban Continues to Target Iranian Americans, Exacerbates Harm of Previous Travel Ban Orders

- A new court filing in federal court in Washington D.C. challenging President Trump's latest iteration of the travel ban seeks to protect Iranian Americans in the United States and abroad. The lawsuit, filed by three prominent Iranian-American organizations as well as 13 individual plaintiffs, outlines the ways the policy is hurting families, professional and business opportunities, as well as the expansive Iranian-American community. - 10/12/17

NIAC and Partners File First Lawsuit Against Muslim Ban 3.0

- Washington, DC - Today, Muslim Advocates, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Covington & Burling LLP, in collaboration with the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC) and the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU, announced two lawsuits against the Trump administration's latest efforts to unlawfully block the entry of Muslims into the United States and carry out President Trump's long-promised Muslim ban. - 10/3/17

'The last Iranian Americans'

- On Sept. 24, the United States announced a revised travel ban that, unlike its predecessors, may face fewer legal hurdles. "Making America Safe is my No. 1 priority. We will not admit those into our country we cannot safely vet," President Donald Trump tweeted just after his administration released the details of his new proclamation. Given that 62% of nonimmigrant travelers impacted by what many dub Travel Ban 3.0 are Iranian citizens, this indefinite ban - if upheld - could have long-term consequences on the Iranian-American community. -Narges Bajoghli, Al-Monitor - 10/3/17

U.S. Judge Orders Iran To Pay $63.5 Million To Former U.S. Marine Jailed In Tehran

- A U.S. judge has ordered Iran's government to pay $63.5 million to a former U.S. Marine who was held in Iranian jails for more than four years. U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle of Washington, D.C., ruled in favor of 33-year-old Amir Hekmati, an Iranian-American, after Iran failed to respond to the complaint. - 10/3/17

Banning Grandmas Only Hurts American Families

- A smiling, young woman in a gown is leaning over so her tiny grandmother can give her a kiss. A grandmother is preparing torshee, pickles, in a jar as she looks on. After taking a cigarette drag, a grandmother laughs without a care in the world. These are the many faces of the grandmas impacted by President Donald Trump's Muslim Ban 3.0, that was issued in an proclamation on September 24. -Holly Dagres, Huffington Post - 9/29/17

Petition to U.S. Congress: Rescind the Muslim Ban Immediately #NoMuslimBanEver

- Now more than ever, we must stand unified in the face of Donald Trump's attempts to ban us and divide us. That's why NIAC Action has teamed up with 12 major civil rights organizations opposing Trump's Muslim ban to demand that Congress take action to stop the ban. - 9/28/17

What Trump's tough talk on Iran means for human rights

- Iranian-American actress and activist Nazanin Boniadi weighs in on how the Iran nuclear deal has affected humanitarian work, minority representation in Hollywood and more. -Politico - 9/28/17

Trump's New Travel Ban: Collective Punishment of the Iranian People

- The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) strongly condemns the new travel ban announced by the Trump administration on September 24, 2017 targeting citizens of Iran and seven other countries. The new travel ban's indiscriminate and arbitrary impact on Iranian citizens is unjustified and a gift to Iranian hardliners who want to isolate their population and prevent engagement with the outside world, CHRI said today. - 9/27/17

Iranian-Americans Condemn Trump's Travel Ban

- The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) have issued press releases condemning Trump administration's new travel ban targeting Iranians. - 9/25/17

Documentary: Iranians Non-Grata

- "Iranians Non-Grata" is a short documentary by Human Capital of Iran project that uncovers the personal stories of prominent Iranian students who have been affected by the President #Trump #ExecutiveOrder known as the #MuslimBan or the #TravelBan. - 9/25/17

Installation of the First Iranian Design Mural in Los Angeles!

- Farhang Foundation is proud to announce the first winning design installation of the its Iranian Mural Design Competition in collaboration with Beautify Earth. In 2016, Farhang Foundation joined forces with Beautify Earth to launch an international mural design competition open to artists worldwide. The competition invited artists to submit design concepts that conceptualize different and unique aspects of Iranian culture. The finalist designs would then be installed as public murals throughout the city of Los Angeles as part of the beautification of Los Angeles with Iranian art. - 9/21/17

Meet Dr. Hosna Sheikholeslami, Denison's Newest Professor

- Dr. Hosna Sheikholeslami is the department of sociology and anthropology's newest faculty member. An Iranian-American born in Tehran, Iran and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area from age four, Sheikholeslami studied Comparative Literature at Berkeley, where she also started an interfaith dialogue council, an organization that remains on campus today. -Denisonian - 9/11/17

Iranian-Americans at the Forefront of Success

- After a nine-week hunt for a CEO, Uber announced the appointment of Iranian-American, Dara Khosrowshahi, a former executive at Expedia where he had the distinction of being the highest paid CEO in the US. Honoring a long-held family tradition of valuing education above all else, he earned a B.A. in Electrical Engineering from Brown University. -Roxana Maddahi, Huffington Post - 9/8/17

An Iranian bookstore in Westwood closes after 36 years

- Westwood's Iranian bookstore Ketab Corp. closed its doors last week after 36 years in business. The shop on Westwood Boulevard held roughly 85% Persian titles as well as books in English about Iran, said owner Bijan Khalili, who in a phone call described his customer base as "Persians and those Americans that are interested in Persian culture" in a phone call. -Agatha French, Los Angeles TImes - 8/31/17

High-Frequency Chip Brings Iranian-American Researchers One Step Closer to Next Generation Technology

- A novel, high-frequency electronic chip potentially capable of transmitting tens of gigabits of data per second - a rate that is orders of magnitude above the fastest internet speeds available today - has been developed by engineers (Omeed Momeni, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC Davis, and doctoral student Hossein Jalili) at the University of California, Davis. -Bonnie Dickson - 8/29/17

Gift establishes UCI endowed chair in art history, archaeology of ancient Iran

- The University of California, Irvine has received a $1.5 million grant from Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute to establish the Elahe Omidyar Mir-Djalali Presidential Chair in Art History & Archaeology of Ancient Iran. Additional funding was provided by the UC Presidential Match for Endowed Chairs program. The holder of the $2 million chair in the Department of Art History will collaborate with UCI's Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies & Culture. - 8/25/17

TIRGAN 2017: The Arts and Culture Festival that Transcends borders and penetrates hearts

- Mesmerized by KamanChello playing, a duo string performance of the Persian Kamcheh and occidental Cello, the highly diverse audience comprised of not only Iranians from all walks of life and places, but also with the eminent presence of others including peace and justice loving mainstream Canadians, found themselves in twilight nostalgic and humanistic trance on earth and beyond. Tirgan 2017, the Iranian summer solstice festival ten years in the making in Toronto, had once again attracted 150,000 spectators which included many from the U.S. world down under, as well as from Europe and even Iran. -Davood N. Rahni - 8/1/17

2017 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans: Poll Shows a Community Under Duress Due to Rising Discrimination

- Today, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) released the findings of its national public opinion survey of Iranian Americans revealing concerns over increased discrimination and domestic issues - a shift from previous polling. A great majority of respondents (82%) are worried about rising discrimination against Iranian Americans, and more than one-half (56%) report having personally experienced discrimination. - 7/28/17

Jasmin Moghbeli, Badass Astronaut

- In the rarefied world of space travellers, nasa's new astronaut class--seven men and five women, picked from a record-breaking eighteen thousand applicants--includes one, nicknamed "Jaws," who played basketball at M.I.T., is a Marine Corps major, and was decorated for flying Cobra gunships on a hundred and fifty combat missions in Afghanistan. The astronaut candidate is also an immigrant-an Iranian-American, the only one with roots in the Middle East since the first class of astronauts was selected, in 1959. -Robin Wright, New Yorker - 7/21/17

NIAC Action Statement on Congress Rejecting Amendments to Bar Muslim-ban Funding

- "We applaud Representatives Mark Pocan and Barbara Lee for leading the charge against the Trump administration's Muslim ban. By offering amendments to defund elements of the ban, Representatives Pocan and Senator Lee demonstrated real leadership in attempting to put an end to Congressional inaction and forego the need for further judicial intervention regarding the Muslim ban. The Pocan amendment, which came to a vote, was unfortunately defeated on a largely party line vote." - 7/19/17

Iranian Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, First Woman To Win Fields Medal In Math, Dies At 40

- Mirzakhani in 2014 won the Fields Medal, the mathematics equivalent of the Nobel Prize that is awarded every four years by the International Congress of Mathematicians. The medal is given to people aged 40 or younger who make major contributions to math. She received hers for her "striking and highly original contributions to geometry and dynamical systems," the committee said at the time. Mirzakhani died in an undisclosed U.S. hospital after the cancer she had been fighting for four years spread to her bone marrow. - 7/16/17

U.S. Federal Court Rules Against Trump Restrictions On Travelers With U.S. Relatives

- A U.S. judge has ruled against the Trump administration's restrictions on refugees and travelers from six predominantly Muslim countries who have American relatives. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Honolulu said late on July 13 that people with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and other American relatives currently barred by the administration should be allowed into the country. - 7/14/17

Iranian math genius Maryam Mirzakhani battles cancer recurrence at US hospital

- Internationally-renowned Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani has been hospitalized in the US for deteriorating health conditions caused by cancer recurrence. According to one of her relatives, Mirzakhani is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the US after medical tests confirmed that cancer has spread to her bone marrow a few weeks ago, the Iranian Haft-e Sobh daily reported. - 7/13/17

'Los Angeles embodies diversity.' The city's new sculpture celebrating freedom is unveiled

- Production of the sculpture was organized by the Farhang Foundation, an L.A.-based nonprofit organization, and the unveiling was part of the inaugural Freedom Festival, a nightlong block party that featured live music, food and fireworks. The Farhang Foundation promotes the study and appreciation of Iranian art and culture. Organizers said they hope the Freedom Festival becomes an annual event. -Matt Hamilton, Los Angles Times - 7/5/17

Touraj Daryaee: Uncovering the Splendor of Ancient Iran

- With the goal of harnessing the untapped potential of Iranian-Americans, and to build the capacity of the Iranian diaspora in effecting positive change in the U.S. and around the world, the Iranian Americans' Contributions Project (IACP) has launched a series of interviews that explore the personal and professional backgrounds of prominent Iranian-Americans who have made seminal contributions to their fields of endeavor. - Jahandad Memarian, Huffington Post - 7/5/17

For Iranian-Americans, Trump travel ban keeps families apart

- Weddings have been moved and family visits delayed. The Trump administration's travel ban, while a shadow of its original self, has dealt a harsh blow to the Iranian-American community, where family ties run strong and friends and loved ones regularly shuttle between Los Angeles and Tehran. -ABC News - 7/3/17

Iranian maestro Maziar Heidari among Canada's Top 25 Immigrants of 2017

- Iranian composer and orchestra conductor Maziar Heidari is among Canada's Top 25 Immigrants of 2017. The Canadian Immigrant magazine has announced winners of its ninth annual RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards which chooses and celebrates the success stories of Canadian immigrants who have made an influential contribution to Canada. The award is sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). - 7/1/17

Iranian American Organizations Denounce State Department Travel Ban Guidelines

- As organizations representing the Iranian American community, we denounce the new guidelines for the revised Travel Ban issued by the State Department on Wednesday night. Following the Supreme Court's June 26th, decision to move the Travel Ban forward while exempting those who can "credibly claim a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States," the State Department's guidelines ban extended family including grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and fiances from entering the country. - 6/30/17

Houston surgeon set to visit Iran again under limited travel ban

- A Houston doctor is resuming his regular trips to Iran four months after President Donald Trump's Middle East travel ban led him to cancel life-saving operations on three unborn babies there. The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court this week to reinstate a limited portion of Trump's travel order will not affect Dr. Alireza Shamshirsaz's plans to return to Iran next month and perform fetal surgeries on four pregnant women, he said. -Houston Chronicle - 6/30/17

U.S. To Only Allow 'Close Relatives' From Six Nations Under Travel Ban To Visit

- The U.S administration has set new rules for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim countries and all refugees, requiring them to have a "close" relative in the United States or a "formal" relationship to a U.S. organization. The guidelines are due to come into effect at 8 p.m. Washington time on June 29. - 6/29/17

Iranian-American Organizations issue statements on Trump's Muslim ban after Supreme Court decision

- "Today's Supreme Court decision immediately places the status of many Americans' families into question again. The Iranian-American community, Muslims across America, and families directly impacted by the ban are now reliving the chaotic days following the Muslim ban in January. Fears of the Trump administration once again spreading chaos by triumphing in the courts and reinstituting parts of its ban that has separated families have been realized. - 6/27/17