The Mahmoudi Foundation held its inaugural event in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, on 23 March 2024. Raising awareness about basic human rights, and funds in aid of its scholarships, the Foundation is focussed on empowering a younger generation to promote and practice the oneness of humanity. Established in honor of one of the most impactful and multitalented couples in 20^th Century Asia, Zhinus and Houshang Mahmoudi, the Foundation is built around its scholarship programme, recognising 15-18 year old youth who in addition to academic brilliance, demonstrate an outstanding commitment to the cause of justice and its role in building a united and harmonious community. 

This unique scholarship is a collaborative effort with the California-based educational organisation, Full Circle Learning, and Zambian Gems Foundation, an Oxford-based charity registered in the United Kingdom. The three organisations serving the youngest continents on earth, Asia and Africa, are focussed on the right to education, one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4), and a universal right that the Islamic Republic of Iran withholds from its largest non-Muslim minority, the Baha’i community, which the Mahmoudis belong to.

The inaugural concert featured performances by a world-class tenor, Ramtin Ghazavi, a star of the most famous opera house in the world. Ghazavi was forced to leave his native Iran to pursue his studies in Italy due to the Islamic Republic’s discriminatory laws against the Baha’is. It also involved a range of local talents, including pianist, Samuel Nelson, and classical dancer, Shahrzad Mazouri.

“We are excited to mark our beginning with such wonderful response from all over,” said Mona Mahmoudi, one of the founders of the Foundation, “We look forward to welcoming patrons of art, educators, music lovers, and anyone interested in advancing education among the younger generations to get involved with our work, particularly our scholarship for youth in Africa and Asia.” 

The Mahmoudi Foundation is a 501c3 registered organisation. The Foundation welcomes applicants for its 2024-2025 acdemic year and is busy planning its next fundraising event, as well as a range of media projects. For more information and to get involved, please email us at [email protected]

About The Mahmoudi Scholarship 

The Mahmoudi Scholarship for Justice is established in honor of one of the most impactful and multi-talented couples in contemporary Iran.

Zhinus Mahmoudi was the first female Iranian meteorologist and head of the country’s National Meteorological Organization, a part of Iran’s Ministry of Defense. Raised in an educated family, her mother was a teacher and her father a publisher. Zhinus studied physics and was a proponent of equality of rights for women and men. She advocated a healthy lifestyle through her translation of books on veganism and yoga. She produced the Climate Atlas of Iran and led some of the most advanced and ground-breaking research in her industry, used to this day. A mother of three, she offered in-depth workshops for youth on significant trends of the time, including the cause of justice.

Houshang Mahmoudi was a documentary filmmaker, lawyer, historian and educator. In his earlier years, he established an exemplary elementary school, and became known as a beloved educator among youth. He started Iran’s first children’s edutainment television program and coined phrases that shaped new approaches to parenting and dignity of children and youth. A passionate author and poet, Houshang penned a number of important books, articles and poems that demonstrated his dedication to justice as a fundamental element of the global community.

The Mahmoudis served on national governing bodies of the Iranian Baha’i community. Following the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Houshang faced enforced disappearance on 21 August 1980, and Zhinus was executed on 27 December 1981.