US Moves to Seize Mosques, Properties of Group Linked to Iran
Federal prosecutors continued legal action on Friday to seize properties, including several mosques, owned by a non-profit Muslim organization with alleged ties to the Iranian government. Federal Marshals delivered notices initiating possible seizure proceedings against the Islamic Education Center in Potomac, Maryland just outside Washington. Authorities are moving against properties linked to the New York based Alavi Foundation. - 11/14/09
Case against Iranian foundation threatens mosques
The organization that federal investigators say is a front for the Iranian government has spent millions of dollars over the years on philanthropy: buying property for four U.S. mosques, funding religious schools and language classes, and translating books on Islam. -AP - 11/14/09
Support the photographers and the artistic programs at the Omid Foundation, where dreams become reality
FROM INCEPTION TO EXECUTION is a virtual exhibition of photographs created by the young women of the Omid-e-Mehr Foundation in Tehran during workshops conducted by Hengameh Golestan and Omid Salehi in 2008 and 2009. All photographs are signed and printed in an edition of ten. - 11/9/09
PARSA: Empowering Iranian-Americans, supporting Persian arts and culture, and building a better future for all
What is your favorite Iranian-American organization? What Persian cultural event have you participated and appreciated in the last few years? Which cultural cause is very important to you? Did you know that one particular group, PARSA Community Foundation, has played a big role in supporting Iranian-American groups and activities in the past few years? In fact, according to a report published in September 2009, PARSA has granted over one million dollars since its inception in 2006! - 10/13/09
Iranian-born US Nurse Brings Medicine and Education to Afghan Women
In this week's edition of our series Making a Difference, we meet an Iranian-born woman who says education is the best way to help the people of Afghanistan, especially women and children. In 2001, Fary Moini traveled to Pakistan where she volunteered in a refugee clinic, helping to deliver babies. She says the lack of supplies was shocking. - 10/8/09
Light The Way: Our Children Today, Our Guides Tomorrow - - Recognizing Iranian-American Youth Volunteers
On October 18, PARSA Community Foundation will hold the Light the Way, the 2009 annual awards ceremony honoring the recipients of the Volunteerism and Action Award and Philanthropist of the Year Award. This event is also dedicated to the Iranian-American children who are engaged in community services. - 10/7/09
Samira Rekabdar's Silent Voice
When I arrived home, I had a special feeling. I opened the book quickly and started reading. The first page was a short history about Samira's life. It was then that I found out why she couldn't talk to me. Since she was inflicted with Cerebral Paralysis from childhood. Then I got to her beautiful poems. -Minoo Minaie, Tehran - 10/2/09
Poll: Which US based organization have you supported or will support in 2009?
Which one of the selected organizations listed below have you supported or will support in 2009: Iranian Alliances Across Borders, Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation, National Iranian American Council, ... - 10/2/09
PARSA Community Foundation Announces 2009 Annual Award Recipients
PARSA Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2009 Annual Awards. Forough Hosseini is the recipient of the Philanthropist of the Year award, designed to honor an individual who is self-made, has achieved world-class success in his/her field, and has culminated that success in civic leadership by actively perpetuating the American Dream for others. - 10/1/09
PARSA Community Foundation Hits One Million Dollar Grant Mark
Leading Persian Community Foundation Offers 115 Grants Since 2006 To Support Civic Participation, Leadership Development and Arts and Culture in the Iranian-American Community Worldwide - 9/30/09
Light The Way: PARSA Community Foundation's 2009 Annual Awards
PARSA Community Foundation presents Light the Way, the 2009 annual awards ceremony. Emceed by actress Yara Shahidi and featuring a performance by pianist and composer Tara Kamangar, the ceremony will honor this year's recipients of the Volunteerism and Action Award and Philanthropist of the Year Award. - 9/27/09
Iranian Woman in Britain Saving Troubled Kids
Camila Batmanghelidjh, an Iranian-British woman previously named Social Entrepreneur of the Year and Woman of the Year for her unique and charitable work is the founder of a south London-based youth center that has helped children suffering from various traumas successfully reintegrate into society. - 9/14/09
Recipients of Iranian American Scholarship Fund Scholarships Announced
Iranian American Scholarship Fund (IASF) has awarded 2009-2010 scholarships to fifteen Iranian-American students, both Graduates and Undergraduates. Founded in 1997 by a small group of philanthropic-minded individuals in San Diego, California, IASF began as a "Mother Fund" at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), creating the first University scholarship for Iranian- American students supported by the Iranian community. - 9/14/09
PARSA CF Philanthropist: Bita Daryabari a Global Force for Women's Empowerment
Bita Daryabari is a philanthropist who thinks and acts both globally and locally. Growing up in Iran in a family that valued philanthropy and providing a hand to those less fortunate, Daryabari fondly remembers that "if a beggar knocked on the door at lunch time, my grandfather would refuse to eat unless the beggar was invited in to eat with the family." -PARSA CF - 9/10/09
Arya Laghaie Indigenous Peoples' Right Scholarship
This educational scholarship is established in memory of Arya Laghaie by his family and friends, as well as alumni and faculty of St. Thomas University Law School. An alumn of the Master of Laws Program in Intercultural Human Rights, Arya Laghaie was a young man who tragically lost his life in a hit and run accident, in the town where he was volunteering to assist indigenous peoples. - 9/8/09
Apply for a PARSA Community Foundation Student and Community
Across the United States, Iranian-Americans are joining together, sharing our culture and becoming active citizens. Since its inception, PARSA CF has raised funds for two groups that are vital to cultural disseminating and organized action: student groups and cultural centers. PARSA CF is committed to their long term viability and will continue to champion their success. - 9/1/09
Momeni Foundation announces 2009 scholarship recipients
It is a great pleasure to introduce the Momeni Foundation's year 2009 scholarship award recipients to you. This year we are awarding $11,250 dollars to 21 well deserving students. - 8/31/09
Profile of a Philanthropist: Dr.Nasser Heydarian, MD, GCKSJ
Doctor Nasser is one of the most decorated men I know but not with war medals but rather medals for his humanitarian efforts for which he has been recognized by many nations and yet he goes unappreciated and relatively unknown in these United States of America although he has been living in San Francisco and been a citizen for over 20 years. -Brian H. Appleton - 8/24/09
Watering the Tree of Creativity
Misperceptions abound in the corporate-dominated culture of the U.S. and Canada about the nature and importance of creative work. Implicitly at least, we are still taught by most of our institutions that artists of all stripes are a reclusive bunch who prefer working – when they work at all – in isolation. -Alidad Mafinezam, The Mark - 8/19/09
Photos: Historical Houses in Kashan, Iran
Switzerland-based Iranian Saba Manuchehri has paid for the restoration of four Qajar era historical houses in Kashan. Manuchehri has purchased the old houses and the structures are currently under restoration, said manager of Kashan's Department of Historical House Renovation, Ali-Akbar Helli. - 8/16/09
In the Spotlight: Iranian Leaders at Nonprofit Organizations
This month, PARSA Community Foundation focuses on nonprofit organizations that support non-Iranian causes and are led or founded by Iranians. We sought to better understand what motivates each leader to serve their cause. With a diverse list of personal motivations, these leaders continue to inspire others with their service, advocacy, and focus on making a positive difference in the world. - 7/6/09
Seven-Year-Old Girl Goes Home To Iran After Life-Saving Surgery In Minnesota
Heroic Humanitarian Effort Is Foundation's 32nd Case: The Foundation for the Children of Iran announces the completion of its 32nd surgical and/or medical case in Minnesota. Banoo, a 7-year-old heart patient, was referred to the Foundation by a nurse in a town near the village in which her family lives. - 5/26/09
Encyclopaedia Iranica Benefit Gala at Lincoln Center
New York, June 28, 2009 - The Encyclopaedia Iranica is a multi-disciplinary reference work and research tool designed to record the facts of Iranian history and civilization. It focuses on the land, life, culture and history of all Iranian peoples and their interaction with other societies. - 5/26/09
Bam: Five Years After
On December 26, 2003, an earthquake killed 32,000 people, flattened 70% of Bam's buildings and equally devastated the nearby town of Baravat and 260 area villages. Bam Citadel (or Arg-e-Bam) was reduced from a stunning byzantine garrison, visited by more than 100,000 people yearly, to a canyon of pulverized rubble not much different than the other treeless, rock-strewn mountains that delineate the central Iranian plateau from the southern desert. -Ramin Mazaheri - 5/22/09
The House of Mother and Child
Last weekend we were invited to Roudbar in Gilan province, about 270 km from Tehran, to visit and become familiar with the work and activities of the charity Khaneh Modr-va-Kudak (House of Mother and Child). We were shown round by Mr Fotovat, who is the chairman, and we were able to stay at the guest house near to the place. -Paul Sanford and Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 5/20/09
Giving Service, Without Borders
Dr. Allen Sossan, a reconstructive spinal and orthopedic surgeon, usually splits his medical time between Yankton and Norfolk, Neb. However, for the last few years he has had a bit longer commute — to Tehran, Iran. He travels there to donate two weeks a year to underprivileged people who, without his knowledge, would live the rest of their lives in pain and in a wheelchair. -Press Dakotan - 5/19/09
The HAND Foundation Announces 2009 Economics Scholarship Awards
The HAND Foundation announced the names of the 2009 recipients of its scholarship programs. Maryam Farboodi received the Bita Daryabari Scholarship for Women in Economics and Rasool Zandvakil was awarded the HAND Research Foundation Scholarship. - 5/13/09
Iran's stand at UK World Market fascinates visitors
Iran's Embassy in London has erected a stand in the UK World Market, helping the country's International Social Service (ISS) raise fund for vulnerable families and children. - 5/13/09
PARSA CF University: Voluntourism an Emerging Travel Trend for the Medical Community
Voluntourism has gained prominence throughout the past few years and in a suffering economy, is becoming an increasingly popular option for travelers eager to make a difference in the world. But just what is voluntourism exactly? - 5/11/09
Dr. Mansoor Emam: A Medical Hero in Utah
As a child in his native city of Dezful, in southern Iran, Dr. Mansoor Emam could hardly have believed his destiny. From a city with little or no medical services, Dr. Mansoor Emam dreamed of one day becoming a doctor. With that dream fulfilled, Dr. Emam is now helping others in a new city, far away from his birthplace, and honored as one of America's finest humanitarian physicians. - 5/7/09
Behnam Daheshpour Charitable Organization: An Iranian NGO helping cancer patients
Compilation Album of Iranian Underground Music to be ReleasedThe Behnam Daheshpour Charitable Organization is a well known and respected NGO that helps people who suffer from cancer. I have known about them for many years yet have not been able to officially introduce them to Payvand readers for different reasons. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 5/6/09
"Korea, Sparkling Night in Iran" helps raise funds for Iranian children suffering from cancer
South Korean Vice Culture Minister Jae-min Shin is convinced that the cultural relationship with Iran has made the two states like two neighboring countries despite the considerable distance separating one from the other. He called Tehran a beautiful city with a combination of the modern and the historical, and said, "Iran has been a bridge between east and west, playing a major role in enhancing its civilization." - 5/5/09
Iranian Scholarship Foundation 2009 Fundrasing Gala
Saturday, May 9 in Stanford, California - The main objective of the Iranian Scholarship Foundation is to ensure that the second generation of Iranians growing up in the US, does not forget Iran, and is proud of its Iranian heritage. - 5/4/09
Iranian American Medical Association: Improving Lives and Shaping Futures
A group of Iranian-American doctors have not forgotten the residents of Bam, and have embarked on an ambitious effort to build a free clinic in the recovering city. With thirteen-thousand square meters of land donated by the city council of Bam, the clinic will be comprised of four major sections: an advanced general medical facility, a building for specialty services, a same-day surgery unit and a residential unit for physicians and visiting specialists from around the world. - 5/1/09
Neda Farzan: A Medical Student With a Big Heart
Many medical students seek volunteer opportunities as part of their required studies. For Neda Farzan, community service is not just a requirement to complete. It is a major part of her life, and a pivotal element in her drive to help others. Farzan has traveled all over the world, which shaped her decision to concentrate in Global Health as a medical student. - 4/29/09
Update from The Foundation for the Children of Iran
Since we last gathered together in Washington, DC at our Bahar Ball...we have had two wonderful children here for treatment. We now have 3 young patients waiting to come to the United States. These are confirmed and approved. - 4/28/09
Family of drink-drive crash victim raise £4,500 for Iranian school
THE family of a woman killed by a drunk driver have raised £4,500 at a fundraising dinner-dance to build a school in her name in rural Iran. -Times-Series - 4/28/09
Downtown LA Developer Sonny Astani Honored for $17M Gift to USC
In recognition of developer Sonny Astani's $17 million gift to the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, the university on Tuesday, April 21 unveiled the naming plaque for the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - 4/27/09
Join PARSA CF for a philanthropy workshop on April 26, 2009 in New Canaan, Connecticut
Please join PARSA Community foundation at a philanthropy workshop in New Canaan, Connecticut, graciously hosted by Shiva Sarram. - 4/16/09
A Weekend of Events in Dubai Highlighted by Gala Dinner & Contemporary Art Auction of Works Donated by Leading Middle Eastern Artists
Magic of Persia's fundraiser for 2009, Magical Nights in Dubai, will take place on Saturday 11th April and Sunday 12th April 2009. The highlight of the events as always will be the grand Gala and Contemporary Iranian Art Auction on Saturday 11th April 2009 at the Emirates Towers in Dubai - 4/2/09
Iranian Americans Raise $50,000 to Preserve Persepolis Artifacts
The Iranian-American community came together to celebrate the coming of Norooz and support NIAC's continued efforts to protect the Persepolis tablets and support diplomacy, on March 7, 2009 in Mclean VA. The event, which hosted more than 150 members of the Iranian-American community, raised an impressive $50,000. - 3/26/09
Mountain in Iran Named for American Nurse
Last year, Davar Ardalan and other family members in the United States learned that a mountain and surrounding forest near the city of Isfahan has been named Mount Helen in honor of Helen Jeffreys Bakhtiar for her pioneering work in public health with the Point Four program in some of Iran's most isolated villages. -Howard Cincotta, America.gov - 3/24/09
Visually Impaired People International Day in Iran
16th October is the International VIP Day in Iran and SAF VIP Group organised a meeting for this special day. Established in 1999, SAF VIP Group has been actively involved in numerous projects for the blind and VIP community in Iran. The meeting was attended by Mrs. Pari Zanganeh, the renowned Iranian singer - 3/23/09
Children of Persia Scholarship Program: 2009-2010 School Year
Children of Persia (COP) was established in 1999 with the simple objective of promoting the well-being of Iranian children by providing assistance in areas of healthcare, education, and social services. - 3/19/09
Momeni Foundation is accepting applications for year 2009 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. - 3/17/09
Northern California - Spring Festival Bazaar
Celebrate the arrival of spring and Persian New Year with the Kahrizak Foundation and Ladies Charitable Society. The event will include a weekend of festivities with Persian food, traditional music and handicrafts from all over the world. - 3/14/09
Norooz Bazaar in Costa Mesa, California in support of Mahak
The International Society for Children with Cancer (ISCC) will celebrate the arrival of the Persian New Year with a Norooz Bazaar, on Saturday March 14th, in support of Mahak, a charity group based in Tehran that supports children suffering from Cancer. - 2/27/09
Norooz Festival by Iranian Cultural Foundation in Houston
ICF-H will be holding their Norooz, Persian New Year, festival on Sunday March 22, 2009 at Discovery Green Park in Houston, Texas. ICF-H is a non-profit, non-political organization with no religious affiliation that fosters the educational, social, and charitable interests of the Iranian-American community. - 2/27/09
Mahak charity holds Norouz Bazaar in Tehran
Last week we went to see one of the best events in Tehran, and the fact that all the proceeds benefitted Mahak, the charity for children with cancer in Tehran was a big extra attraction. The bazaar was organized by the fantastic, energetic and professional Mahak Youth Group and had a lot of buzz and fun about it. -Syma Sayyah, Tehran - 2/26/09
PARSA CF University: Resources for Connecting to Iranian Nonprofits Worldwide
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident wanting to make a financial contribution to a charity operating inside Iran be sure to verify that the charity has a valid "OFAC license" (permission from the U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control) so that you can make your contribution legally. The Iranian American Bar Association provides more information on these rules. -PARSA - 2/25/09
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