Maurice Motamed
Overview
Iranian Majlis election, 2004
The Iranian parliamentary elections of February 20 and May 7, 2004 were a victory for Islamic conservatives over the reformist parties. Assisting the conservative victory was the disqualification of about 2500 reformist candidates earlier in January.-Background:...
as a Jewish member of the Iranian Parliament
Majlis of Iran
The National Consultative Assembly of Iran , also called The Iranian Parliament or People's House, is the national legislative body of Iran...
(preceded by Manuchehr Eliasi
Manuchehr Eliasi
Manuchehr Eliasi or Manouchehr Eliasi is a Jewish former member of the Iranian Parliamentwho was succeeded by Maurice Motamed in 2000.-See also:*Reserved Majlis seats...
and succeeded by Ciamak Moresadegh
Ciamak Moresadegh
Dr. Ciamak Moresadegh is the sole Jewish MP in the Majlis of Iran. He is the director of the Tehran Jewish Committee and the Dr...
), representing the Jewish community
Persian Jews
Persian Jews , are Jews historically associated with Iran, traditionally known as Persia in Western sources.Judaism is one of the oldest religions practiced in Iran. The Book of Esther contains some references to the experiences of Jews in Persia...
which has by Iran's constitution retained a reserved seat since the Persian Constitution of 1906.
In Parliament, he has been active in defending Jews
Persian Jews
Persian Jews , are Jews historically associated with Iran, traditionally known as Persia in Western sources.Judaism is one of the oldest religions practiced in Iran. The Book of Esther contains some references to the experiences of Jews in Persia...
, Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s, and Zoroastrians against discrimination. He also played a prominent role in the efforts to alleviate the sentences against some members of the Jewish community for alleged spying or illegally trying to flee the country.