On October 6, 2023, the Nobel Committee announced that Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist and prisoner of conscience, had won the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.
While the world celebrated her courage and perseverance, many also wondered about her family, especially her son, Ali Rahmani, who has been living in exile in France since 2019.
Who is Ali Rahmani?
Ali Rahmani is the 17-year-old son of Narges Mohammadi and Taghi Rahmani, a prominent Iranian journalist and dissident. He was born in 2006 in Iran and has a twin sister, Kiana Rahmani.
Ali’s life has been profoundly influenced by the activism and dedication of his parents, who have both faced imprisonment, torture, and harassment for their peaceful dissent and advocacy for human rights in Iran.
Ali’s father, Taghi Rahmani, has spent a total of 14 years in prison for his journalistic work and political views. He was arrested for the first time in 1999, shortly after marrying Narges Mohammadi. He was arrested again in 2001, 2004, 2009, and 2011 on various charges related to his writings and activities. He was also subjected to solitary confinement, physical abuse, and death threats.
In 2019, Taghi Rahmani decided to leave Iran and seek asylum in France, fearing for his life and the safety of his family. He was joined by his children, Ali and Kiana, who were 13 years old at the time. They had to leave their mother behind, as she refused to abandon her human rights work in Iran.
Ali’s mother, Narges Mohammadi, is the vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), an organization founded by Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi. She has been a vocal advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, prisoners’ rights, women’s rights, and civil liberties in Iran. She has also been a leader of the National Council for Peace Movement, a grassroots initiative that promotes non-violence and dialogue among Iranians.
Narges Mohammadi has been arrested several times for her peaceful activism since 1998. She was sentenced to six years in prison in 2011 on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the state”. She was released on medical grounds in 2013 but was rearrested in 2015 and sentenced to 16 years in prison on similar charges. She has suffered from various health problems due to the harsh conditions of detention and the denial of adequate medical care. She has also endured solitary confinement, psychological pressure, and separation from her children.
Despite these challenges, Narges Mohammadi has continued to speak out for human rights and democracy in Iran through letters from prison, interviews with international media, and messages to her supporters. She has also expressed her love and pride for her children and her hope to see them again soon.
2023 #NobelPeacePrize laureate Narges Mohammadi has dedicated her life to fighting against the oppression of women in Iran and promoting human rights and freedom for all. For this the Iranian regime sentenced her to 31 years in prison. She has been in prison since 2015. pic.twitter.com/xNIpr4baWa
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 6, 2023
How does Ali Rahmani cope with his situation?
Ali Rahmani has shown remarkable resilience and maturity in coping with his difficult situation. He has supported his father and sister in their efforts to raise awareness about his mother’s plight and to campaign for her release. He has also pursued his education and interests in France.
According to his father, Ali is fluent in French and English, as well as Persian. He attends a high school in Paris and is interested in physics and mathematics. He is also fond of music and plays the piano. He enjoys reading books by Iranian authors such as Sadegh Hedayat and Ahmad Shamlou. He is also active in a mountain climbing group.
Ali has also expressed his admiration for his mother and his desire to follow her footsteps in fighting for human rights and justice. In an interview with Radio Farda in 2020, he said: “My mother is my role model … I want to be like her … I want to study law or political science … I want to help people who are oppressed like my mother.”
He also said that he misses his mother very much and hopes to reunite with her soon. He said: “I love my mother more than anything … I want to hug her … I want to tell her everything that has happened in these years … I want to make her happy.”
What are the prospects for Ali Rahmani and his family?
The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi has brought renewed attention and hope to her case and the situation of human rights in Iran. Many international organizations, governments, and celebrities have congratulated her and called for her immediate and unconditional release.
However, the Iranian authorities have reacted with hostility and contempt to the Nobel announcement. They have denounced Narges Mohammadi as a “traitor” and a “terrorist” and accused the Nobel Committee of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs. They have also refused to grant her any special treatment or privileges in prison.
Therefore, it remains uncertain whether Narges Mohammadi will be freed anytime soon or whether she will be able to see her children and husband again. Her family and supporters continue to appeal for her freedom and dignity, as well as for the respect of human rights and democracy in Iran.
Ali Rahmani and his family have shown remarkable courage and determination in the face of adversity. They have also inspired many people around the world with their love and solidarity. They deserve to be reunited and to live in peace and freedom.
Ali Rahmani BIO, WIKI
| Name | Ali Rahmani |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Residence | France |
| Parents | Narges Mohammadi (mother), Taghi Rahmani (father) |
| Siblings | Kiana Rahmani (twin sister) |
| Education | High school student in Paris |
| Interests | Physics, mathematics, music, literature, mountain climbing |
| Aspirations | To study law or political science, to help people who are oppressed, to be like his mother |
