Mohammad!l

I do remember you. Fate brought me to meet you. Your mother came to my home in Tehran after driving about 45 kilometers from my high school. She was led by fate to meet me via my school's direction. Your mother brought materials for you from my high school courses that I have had earned. She built a bridge of friendship between you and me. Then we met up with your playmate, Rouzbeh Ghahreman. This fate has led me to become a life long friend with you. Throughout the years, our friendship developed further from participating together in deaf sports and other activities.

l Mohammad!l

In spite of living in another country, I still remember you. Your name spread to all corners of Iran and around the world because of your remarkable activities in Mashhad, Iran. You became famous not just because of your work but also because of your leadership. How amazing! I looked closely at your organization that you led and found that you have not learned from other Deaf people who were older than you. You had no role models to emulate, yet you became a role model for others. Most of older Deaf role models had already fled Iran after the 1978 Islamic Revolution. I knew it was because of your faith, your beliefs, and your confidence in yourself. You were empowered from within yourself to lead your people.

 Mohammad!l

How amazing the things that I have seen in you. You have been loyal to our Deaf community in Iran and more specifically in Mashhad. In spite of betrayal and resistance, you have worked with Deaf individuals and taught them step by step to lead an organization. They would have never learned as much without you! I know how much energy you have spent. You have been patient even though you suffered. With your suffering, patience, and hard work, your organization has become a powerful influence across Iran. Your organization became a symbol for other deaf organizations later established in Iran. It is blessing to the Iranian Deaf community that you taught Deaf people to become leaders in Mashhad. Before, there was lack of leadership in the Deaf community in Mashhad. Then you taught them to achieve many great things. You taught them to learn, to be active, and to be outspoken. For the Deaf leaders that you nurtured, it was not just an education in leadership. It was like being born again into a new and exciting era where they have a voice.

Mohammad!l

Your leadership was so important for other deaf people. From your example, they learned how to overcome barriers and obstacles that they encountered in the hearing world. You carried on your flag and led the way. You established the most important Deaf magazine, "Breaking Silence," with the assistance of other deaf leaders. This magazine impacted the Deaf communities in Mashhad and across Iran. This magazine is one of the best tools for increasing awareness in the hearing world about the needs and issues of the Iranian Deaf community. "Breaking Silence" is a golden part of Iranian Deaf history!

 Mohammad!l

We witnessed how you fought with the system. You stood on your two feet against all odds because you believed in yourself. You rallied other deaf people to stand with you for a worthy cause. Even when you stood alone, you were still a symbol of unity and empowerment for deaf people. Your contributions are unforgettable. The Iranian Deaf community will always remember you. You were one of our greatest leaders that we had ever known!

 Mohammad!l

We sympathize with your wife, your sons, your brother, and your parents who are all mourning their loss. We sincerely express our sorrow and compassion to your family. Your loss is huge blow to our Iranian Deaf Community.l

We will always miss your leadership, your loyalty and your friendship! May God rest your soul!

Iranian Deaf Studies Foundation