Ahmad Iravani
Encyclopedia
Highly recognized as an Iranian philosopher, Ahmad Iravani is also a respected scholar and clergyman from the Northern region of Iran, along the Caspian Sea
. An avid advocate of interfaith
and intra-faith peace dialogue, he has dedicated his life to such intellectual subjects. He continually strives to spread peace, tolerance, and acceptance amongst people of all religions and cultures.
Iravani resided in his birthplace, the providence of Golestan Province
, until his 11th grade and moved to Mashhad
to receive his diploma from Ferdowsi (Aboudhar Ghaffari) High School in 1978. During his early teenage years, he became familiar with writings and work of Ali Shariati
. Under the influences of Ali Shariati
and Imam Khomeini’s message, Iravani found great interest in learning more about Islam
. A year after the Iranian Revolution
in 1979, he decided to attend Howze Elmiyeh in Qom
to further his education in Islamic studies.
In 1982, following the call of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri to preach Islam
around the world, he chose to travel to Africa
. During his stay, Iravani promoted intra-faith dialogue amongst Muslims and educated them by holding conferences giving lectures on fighting Islamic fundamentalist ideas, which were spread throughout Africa
at the time. Spending some time in West Africa
, he established an Islamic Seminary in Accra, Ghana in 1983.
During the summers of 1983 to 1987, he traveled to other West African countries to further the outreach of his mission. He then settled in Zimbabwe
from 1987-1990, continuing his objective and aim by establishing the Center of Islamic Studies in Southern Africa.
After returning to Iran in 1990, he resumed his education and received his degree in religious studies called “Rotbe Awwale Kharej” by 1992, the equivalent to doctorate PhD. Iravani then began teaching "Islamic Law
, Foundation of Islamic Economy, and Islamic Philosophy
" at the Allameh Tabatabai University
, "Logic and Methodology" at the Ministry of Justice (Iran)
, and "Islamic History, Mystics" at Amirkabir University of Technology
in Tehran, Iran.
In 1995, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Western Philosophy
from University of Tehran
. Continuously attending Howzeh Elmiyeh, by 1997, Iravani received his “Ejaze-e-Ijtihad
” (highest degree of Islamic religious studies). His teachers were Late Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Fazel Lankarani, Late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri and Grand Ayatollah Sane'i who conveyed and gave him the auspicious degree.
During the following year, 1998, he received his Master’s degree in Western Philosophy
from Allameh Tabatabai University
in Tehran
, Iran
. From 1997-2000 Iravani was the Dean of the School of Philosophy of Mofid University
in Qom
.
It was by the year 1999 that he met a great philosopher and scholar, Father McLean , an emeritus professor at the Catholic University of America
in Washington, D.C.
. With the assistance of Father McLean, Iravani moved to the United States
to pursue his PhD in Western Philosophy
in 2000. Soon after, due to his knowledge and expertise in Islamic Law
and Islamic Jurisprudence, he was asked to teach at the Columbus School of Law
and School of Theology. Since 2002, Iravani has been teaching “Introduction to Islam” and “Iran Since the Revolution” during summers at University of California
, in Davis, CA. In addition to his academic activities, he has diversified his role in the community by participating in many interfaith dialogues around the world.
He has also served as the Director of Islamic Studies and Dialogue at the Center for the Study of Culture
and Values until the end of 2009 which has held conferences and exchange of scholars between Iran and United States. In 2010, he founded the Center for the Study of Islam
and the Middle East (CSIME) and serves as the President and Executive Director.
In December of 2010 he received his Doctor of Philosophy after defending his PhD dissertation under the title of "Foundations of Jacques Maritain
’s Political Philosophy
" at the Iranian Institute of Philosophy in Tehran
, Iran
.
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
. An avid advocate of interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
and intra-faith peace dialogue, he has dedicated his life to such intellectual subjects. He continually strives to spread peace, tolerance, and acceptance amongst people of all religions and cultures.
Iravani resided in his birthplace, the providence of Golestan Province
Golestan Province
Golestan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, located in the north-east of the country, south of the Caspian Sea. Its capital is Gorgan....
, until his 11th grade and moved to Mashhad
Mashhad
Mashhad , is the second largest city in Iran and one of the holiest cities in the Shia Muslim world. It is also the only major Iranian city with an Arabic name. It is located east of Tehran, at the center of the Razavi Khorasan Province close to the borders of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Its...
to receive his diploma from Ferdowsi (Aboudhar Ghaffari) High School in 1978. During his early teenage years, he became familiar with writings and work of Ali Shariati
Ali Shariati
Ali Shariati was an Iranian revolutionary and sociologist, who focused on the sociology of religion. He is held as one of the most influential Iranian intellectuals of the 20th century and has been called the 'ideologue of the Iranian Revolution'.-Biography:Ali....
. Under the influences of Ali Shariati
Ali Shariati
Ali Shariati was an Iranian revolutionary and sociologist, who focused on the sociology of religion. He is held as one of the most influential Iranian intellectuals of the 20th century and has been called the 'ideologue of the Iranian Revolution'.-Biography:Ali....
and Imam Khomeini’s message, Iravani found great interest in learning more about Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. A year after the Iranian Revolution
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
in 1979, he decided to attend Howze Elmiyeh in Qom
Qom
Qom is a city in Iran. It lies by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 957,496, in 241,827 families. It is situated on the banks of the Qom River....
to further his education in Islamic studies.
In 1982, following the call of Grand Ayatollah Montazeri to preach Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
around the world, he chose to travel to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. During his stay, Iravani promoted intra-faith dialogue amongst Muslims and educated them by holding conferences giving lectures on fighting Islamic fundamentalist ideas, which were spread throughout Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
at the time. Spending some time in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, he established an Islamic Seminary in Accra, Ghana in 1983.
During the summers of 1983 to 1987, he traveled to other West African countries to further the outreach of his mission. He then settled in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
from 1987-1990, continuing his objective and aim by establishing the Center of Islamic Studies in Southern Africa.
After returning to Iran in 1990, he resumed his education and received his degree in religious studies called “Rotbe Awwale Kharej” by 1992, the equivalent to doctorate PhD. Iravani then began teaching "Islamic Law
Islamic law
Islamic law can refer to:*Sharia: The code of conduct enjoined upon Muslims in the Quran*Fiqh: Muslim jurisprudence...
, Foundation of Islamic Economy, and Islamic Philosophy
Islamic philosophy
Islamic philosophy is a branch of Islamic studies. It is the continuous search for Hekma in the light of Islamic view of life, universe, ethics, society, and so on...
" at the Allameh Tabatabai University
Allameh Tabatabai University
Allameh Tabatabai University , is a public university in Tehran, Iran, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sciences, Research and Technology...
, "Logic and Methodology" at the Ministry of Justice (Iran)
Ministry of Justice (Iran)
Minister of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for prosecuting the government cases. In other words, the justice minister is the attorney-general of the country. However, he has nothing to do with policing which is the responsibility of the Interior minister of the Islamic...
, and "Islamic History, Mystics" at Amirkabir University of Technology
Amirkabir University of Technology
Amirkabir University of Technology , formerly called the Tehran Polytechnic is a public research university located in Tehran, Iran. AUT is one of the most prestigious universities and the first established technical university in Iran...
in Tehran, Iran.
In 1995, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Western Philosophy
Western philosophy
Western philosophy is the philosophical thought and work of the Western or Occidental world, as distinct from Eastern or Oriental philosophies and the varieties of indigenous philosophies....
from University of Tehran
University of Tehran
The University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
. Continuously attending Howzeh Elmiyeh, by 1997, Iravani received his “Ejaze-e-Ijtihad
Ijtihad
Ijtihad is the making of a decision in Islamic law by personal effort , independently of any school of jurisprudence . as opposed to taqlid, copying or obeying without question....
” (highest degree of Islamic religious studies). His teachers were Late Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Fazel Lankarani, Late Grand Ayatollah Montazeri and Grand Ayatollah Sane'i who conveyed and gave him the auspicious degree.
During the following year, 1998, he received his Master’s degree in Western Philosophy
Western philosophy
Western philosophy is the philosophical thought and work of the Western or Occidental world, as distinct from Eastern or Oriental philosophies and the varieties of indigenous philosophies....
from Allameh Tabatabai University
Allameh Tabatabai University
Allameh Tabatabai University , is a public university in Tehran, Iran, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sciences, Research and Technology...
in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. From 1997-2000 Iravani was the Dean of the School of Philosophy of Mofid University
Mofid University
Mofid University is a university located in Qum, Iran.It was founded by Abdolkarim Mousavi Ardebili in 1989.Mofid University’s main area of teaching is comparative studies between Islamic sciences and modern humanities. However, departments such as Economics, Law, Philosophy, and Political science...
in Qom
Qom
Qom is a city in Iran. It lies by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 957,496, in 241,827 families. It is situated on the banks of the Qom River....
.
It was by the year 1999 that he met a great philosopher and scholar, Father McLean , an emeritus professor at the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. With the assistance of Father McLean, Iravani moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to pursue his PhD in Western Philosophy
Western philosophy
Western philosophy is the philosophical thought and work of the Western or Occidental world, as distinct from Eastern or Oriental philosophies and the varieties of indigenous philosophies....
in 2000. Soon after, due to his knowledge and expertise in Islamic Law
Islamic law
Islamic law can refer to:*Sharia: The code of conduct enjoined upon Muslims in the Quran*Fiqh: Muslim jurisprudence...
and Islamic Jurisprudence, he was asked to teach at the Columbus School of Law
Columbus School of Law
The Columbus School of Law, also known as CUA Law, is the law school of The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C..Over 900 Juris Doctor students attend CUA Law. Incoming classes are typically composed of two to three hundred students, including day and night programs. Around 3,500...
and School of Theology. Since 2002, Iravani has been teaching “Introduction to Islam” and “Iran Since the Revolution” during summers at University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, in Davis, CA. In addition to his academic activities, he has diversified his role in the community by participating in many interfaith dialogues around the world.
He has also served as the Director of Islamic Studies and Dialogue at the Center for the Study of Culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
and Values until the end of 2009 which has held conferences and exchange of scholars between Iran and United States. In 2010, he founded the Center for the Study of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and the Middle East (CSIME) and serves as the President and Executive Director.
In December of 2010 he received his Doctor of Philosophy after defending his PhD dissertation under the title of "Foundations of Jacques Maritain
Jacques Maritain
Jacques Maritain was a French Catholic philosopher. Raised as a Protestant, he converted to Catholicism in 1906. An author of more than 60 books, he helped to revive St. Thomas Aquinas for modern times and is a prominent drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights...
’s Political Philosophy
Political philosophy
Political philosophy is the study of such topics as liberty, justice, property, rights, law, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why they are needed, what, if anything, makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it...
" at the Iranian Institute of Philosophy in Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.