Zahra Eshraghi Khomeini () (born 1964) is an Iranian activist and former government official.

Early life and education

Eshraghi was born in 1964. She is the granddaughter of

Ayatollah Khomeini Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini (17 May 1900 or 24 September 19023 June 1989) was an Iranian revolutionary, politician, political theorist, and religious leader. He was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the main leader of the Iranian ...

. She is a philosophy graduate.

Views

Zahra Eshraghi wants the wearing of headscarves to no longer be compulsory. She believes that: "Our (Iran's) constitution still says that the man is the boss and the woman is a loyal wife who sacrifices herself for her family. But society here has changed, especially in the last 10 years. If my grandfather were here now, I am sure he would have had very different ideas." She also stated "The constitution my grandfather approved says that only a man can be president... We would like to change the wording from 'man' to 'anyone'. But discrimination here is not just in the constitution. As a woman, if I want to get a passport to leave the country, have surgery, even breathe almost, I must have permission from my husband."

Personal life

In 1983, Eshraghi married

Mohammad-Reza Khatami Mohammad-Reza Khatami (, born 1958) is an Iranian reformist politician and nephrologist. Early life and education Khatami was born in 1958 in Ardakan, Iran. He is the youngest brother of former president Mohammad Khatami. Khatami is educated ...

, former head of the ''

Islamic Iran Participation Front The Islamic Iran Participation Front (; ''Jebheye Mosharekate Iran-e Eslaami'') was a reformist political party in Iran. It was sometimes described as the most dominant member within the 2nd of Khordad Front. The party took 189 of the 290 seats ...

'', the main reformist party in Iran and younger brother of former president

Mohammad Khatami Mohammad Khatami (born 14 October 1943) is an Iranian politician and Shia cleric who served as the fifth president of Iran from 3 August 1997 to 3 August 2005. He also served as Iran's Minister of Culture from 1982 to 1992. Later, he was critic ...

. They have two children, a daughter, Fatemeh, and a son, Ali.

Politics

In 2004, Eshraghi was blocked from running for parliament by the

Guardian council The Guardian Council (also called Council of Guardians or Constitutional Council, ) is an appointed and constitutionally mandated 12-member council that wields considerable power and influence in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The constitution ...

, which vets the parliamentary candidates.

References

External links