March 18, 2012 – This year, the Farhang Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously presented to two individuals: the acclaimed scholar, publisher, and researcher, Iraj Afshar, in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to Persian language bibliography and unmatched supporting role in the development of Iranian studies around the world; and to Dr. Hossein Ziai, the professor of Islamic and Iranian Studies and the director of Iranian Studies at UCLA, for his extraordinary contributions to the advancement of Iranian studies through scholarly research, writing and teaching.
The 2012 Farhang Heritage Award was presented to Dr. Abbas Milani for his distinguished record as a prolific writer, teacher and researcher of the modern history of Iran. Dr. Milani, the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University, accepted the award in person.
“The three individuals recognized today have been among the most influential Iranian Studies scholars of our time. We are grateful for the work Dr. Milani has done and will undoubtedly continue to do in the preservation of Iranian history and advancement of Iranian studies. And, while we mourn the passing of Mr. Afshar and Professor Ziai, we celebrate the lasting impact of their contributions to the study and research of Iranian history, language, and culture,” said Dr. Hooshang Pak, Farhang Foundation trustee and chairman of its Award committee.
Each year, since 2009, Farhang Foundation has recognized individuals for their remarkable contributions to Iranian studies and culture. Past recipients have included Professor Ehsan Yarshater, Professor Richard Nelson Frye, Professor Amin Banani, and Simin Behbahani.
About Iraj Afshar
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 marked a turning point in Iranian studies because it was the day when Iraj Afshar, who influenced our discipline more widely and profoundly than any other scholar, passed away. Born into a prominent family, influential in business and scholarship, Afshar devoted his entire adult life to Iranian Studies. When he passed away at the age of 86 at Jam Hospital in Tehran, he had amassed an impressive bibliography, and had trained or influenced a generation of scholars.
About Hossein Ziai
Dr. Hossein Ziai was the professor of Islamic and Iranian Studies, Inaugural holder of the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Chair in Iranian Studies and the director of Iranian Studies at UCLA, where he had taught since 1988. He received his B.S. in 1967 in Intensive Mathematics & Physics from Yale University, and his Ph.D. in Islamic Philosophy from Harvard University in 1976. Prior to his position at UCLA, Ziai taught at Tehran University, Sharif University, Harvard University, Brown University, and Oberlin College.
About Abbas Milani
Dr. Abbas Milani is the Hamid & Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University and a Professor (by courtesy) in Division of International, Comparative and Area Studies. He has been one of the founding co-directors of the Iran Democracy Project and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. His expertise is U.S.-Iran relations as well as Iranian cultural, political, and security issues. Till 1986, he taught at Tehran University’s Faculty of Law and Political Science where he was also a member of the Board of Directors of the university’s Center for International Relations.
Short film byJahanshah Ardalan