Agha-Soltan, Neda b. January 23, 1983 d. June 20, 2009 Iranian Political Icon. Neda, whose name means "voice" in Farsi, was a 26 year-old university student studying philosophy and music. She was brutally gunned down by Iranian security forces while attending a pro Mir-Hossein Mousavi rally in Tehran, challenging Iran's election results declaring President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner. Her murder, recorded on cell phone video and viewed by millions around the world, became a galvanizing force and symbol to those seeking political and democratic...[Read More] (Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.) Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, Tehran, Tehran, Iran Plot: Grid 257, Row 41, Number 32
Bahonar, Mohammad Javad b. 1933 d. August 30, 1981 Iranian Prime Minister. Born in Kerman, Iran, he was elected as Iran's third Prime Minister, serving briefly from August 15, 1981 to August 30, 1981. He was imprisoned during much of the 1960s for his anti government activities against the monarchy of Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi. He served as the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance from August 10, 1980 to August 10, 1981, and as Secretary General of the Islamic...[Read More] (Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.) Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Hoveyda, Amir Abbas b. February 18, 1919 d. April 7, 1979 Hoveyda was prime minister of Iran under Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi from January 1965 to August 1977. In November 1978 Hoveyda was detained by the Shah's short-lived military government. At the time of the February 1979 uprising he gave himself up to the new government appointed by Ayatollah Khomeini. Two months later he was sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolutionary Court and shot the same day. Hoveyda spoke Persian, English, French, German and Arabic and wrote articles for various...[Read More] (Bio by: K. Shadmehr) Cause of death: executed by gunshot Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Khomeini, Ayatollah Ruhollah b. September 24, 1902 d. June 3, 1989 Religious Figure, Iranian Political Leader. A Shiite religious Leader and leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, he was born Ruhollah ibn Mustafa Musawi Khomeini in the town of Khomein in Iran, from a family with a long line of religious scholarship. His father was Seyed Moustafa Hindi, who died when Ruhollah was just five months old. Khomeini began his formal religious education by memorizing the Koran at a local maktab (religious school). In 1918, his mother, Hajar, and his aunt, Sahiba...[Read More] (Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson) Cause of death: heart failure Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Mossadegh, Mohammad b. May 19, 1882 d. March 4, 1967 Iranian nationalist politician. He served as Prime Minister from 1951 to 1953. He led the movement for the nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Upon taking office, Mossedegh introduced his cabinet, then began taking action to enforce the Oil Nationalization Bill. His democratically elected government was overthrown via a coup d'état carried out with the assistance of Great Britain and the United States. Mossadegh residence at Ahmad Abad, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Rajai, Mohammad Ali b. June 15, 1933 d. August 30, 1981 Iranian President, Prime Minister. Born in Ghazin, Iran, he was elected as Iran's second president following the impeachment of President Abolhassan Banisadr. He joined the Iranian Air Force at the age of 16, before joining the Iranian Liberation Movement in 1960. He was imprisoned on three separate occasions for anti political activities against the monarchy and government of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. In February 1979...[Read More] (Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.) Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, Tehran, Tehran, Iran
b. January 23, 1983 d. June 20, 2009