Sayyida Zahra Mostafavi Khomeini (born ~1940) is an 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...

ian politician, and a daughter of Ayatollah Khomeini

Ruhollah Khomeini

Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini was an Iranian religious leader and politician, and leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution which saw the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran...

, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran

History of the Islamic Republic of Iran

One of the most dramatic changes in government in Iran's history was seen with the 1979 Iranian Revolution where Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown and replaced by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini...

. A professor at the 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...

, with a PhD in philosophy, she is the Secretary General of Women Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a political 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. She has been called Khomeini's "most prominent daughter".

Views on women

Mostafavi does not support the right of Muslim women to not wear 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”.

Views on Ayatollah Khomeini

Mostafavi praises her father, stating that "He [Khomeini] 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!".

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.”

2009 Presidential election

In the 2009 presidential election Mostafavi reportedly officially endorsed Mir Hussein Mousavi.