Zahra Mostafavi Khomeini

Sayyida Zahra Mostafavi Khomeini (Persian: زهرا مصطفوی خمینی‎; born November 13, 1940) is an Iranian politician, and a daughter of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A professor at the University of Tehran,[1] with a PhD in philosophy,[2] she is the Secretary General of Women's Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a party that advocates women's participation in politics in the Islamic Republic. She is also the secretary General of the NGO Union of Supporting the Palestinian Rights, and Head of the Society for Defending the Palestinian Nation.[1][2] She has been called Khomeini's "most prominent daughter".[3]

Zahra Mostafavi Khomeini
Mostafavi in November 2018
Born	13 November 1940 Tehran, Iran
Nationality	Iranian
Spouse(s)	Mahmoud Boroujerdi ​ ​ (m. 1962; died 2010)​
Children	Leili Masih
Relatives	Ruhollah Khomeini (father) Khadijeh Saqafi (mother)

In the conference of "Commemoration of Lady of Islamic Republic", April 2015.

Views on women

Mostafavi is in favour of women wearing the hijab, stating that "The hijab or covering of women immunises them from abuse and protects families. If men know there is no question of anything outside the family, they will be more loyal to their wives.” She is of the view that women must be allowed to pursue an appropriate role for themselves in politics, academics and education and “like men, their talent must be allowed to flourish”.[4]

Views on Ayatollah Khomeini

Mostafavi praises her father, stating that "He wanted women to play a full part in society, not just as typists or nurses. At home, he never asked his wife, even once, 'give me a cup of tea', or 'close the door'. He did it himself!" [5]

Views on Iran-US relations

Mostafavi takes a hard line on relations with the United States, telling an audience in June 2009, “We are not interested in negotiations with the US. Obama has not made any radical change in US policies. We follow what we have to, and they do what they have to. We believe we are on the right track and victory will be ours.”[4]

2009 Presidential election

In the 2009 presidential election Mostafavi reportedly officially endorsed Mir-Hossein Mousavi.[3]

References

1. Mankind’s Need for Religion and Spirituality, Zahra Mostafavi Accessed August 23, 2009
2. Imam Showed The Path , His Thoughts Relevant Still Sun, Jun 3, 2007. Accessed August 23, 2009
3. "Khamenei vs. Khomeini" by Ali Reza Eshraghi, August 20, 2009. accessed August 23, 2009
4. ‘We believe we are on the right track and victory will be ours,’ Seema Chishti June 12, 2009. accessed August 23, 2009
5. Lipstick revolution: Iran's women are taking on the mullahs. Katherine Butler. February 26, 2009. Accessed August 23, 2009