Reaction to Destruction of Gravestone of Mohammad Ali Foroughi, Reza Shah’s Prime Minister, in Tehran City Council
A member of Tehran’s city council protested in a letter to the mayor of district 20 regarding the destruction of the gravestone of Mohammad Ali Foroughi, a prominent Iranian intellectual, journalist, and politician.
The IRNA news agency reported on Sunday, September 25, that Majid Farahani, head of the budget and oversight committee of Tehran’s Islamic city council, called the destruction of Foroughi’s gravestone in Ray’s Ibn Babuyeh cemetery “anti-cultural” and demanded that the municipality pursue the matter.
Mohammad Ali Foroughi, known as Zekaaol-Molk, was born in 1254 by the solar calendar into a wealthy, cultured, and influential family. He began his professional career as a teacher in high school and editor-in-chief of the Tarbiat publication.
Foroughi entered politics following his journalism career and was elected as a representative to the National Consultative Assembly. He subsequently served as minister in the cabinets of Samsamolsaltaneh, Mushiroldouleh, Mostoufi-ol-Mamalek, and Reza Khan.
With the beginning of the Pahlavi reign, Mohammad Ali Foroughi became Prime Minister of Reza Shah. Subsequently, he served for a time as Iran’s ambassador to Turkey, during which he established very good relations with Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
He also served as head of Iran’s delegation to the United Nations. Foroughi conveyed the message of Iranian culture in the form of the verse “The children of Adam are members of one another / For in creation, they are of one essence” during the tenth session of the UN General Assembly.
His second term as Prime Minister during the first Pahlavi period was accompanied by cultural initiatives such as the completion of Tehran University, Reza Shah’s trip to Turkey and meeting with Atatürk, and the celebration of Ferdowsi’s millennium.
After his dismissal from the position of Prime Minister, he devoted himself to literary activities and the correction of the works of prominent Iranian poets.
Mohammad Ali Foroughi was appointed Prime Minister again in the final days of Reza Shah’s reign, coinciding with the entry of the Allies into Iran, and took charge of managing Iran’s affairs and negotiations with foreign countries.
Foroughi ultimately passed away in December 1942 at the age of 67 as a result of a heart attack.
Source: Voice of America
