Maryam Rajavi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maryam Rajavi
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مریم رجوی
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Rajavi in 2014
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| President-elect of the National Council of Resistance | |
| Assumed office 22 October 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Abolhassan Banisadr |
| Co–equal Leader of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran | |
| Assumed office 27 January 1985 Serving with Massoud Rajavi (until 2003)
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| Preceded by | Massoud Rajavi (as leader) |
| Secretary-General of the People's Mujahedin of Iran | |
| In office 8 October 1989 – 22 October 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Massoud Rajavi |
| Succeeded by | Fahimeh Arvani |
| Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the National Liberation Army | |
| In office 20 June 1987 – 22 October 1993 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Maryam Qajar-Azodanlu
4 December 1953 Tehran, Imperial State of Iran |
| Spouses |
Mehdi Abrishamchi
(m. 1980; div. 1985)Massoud Rajavi
(m. 1985, dis. 2003) |
| Children | 1 |
Maryam Rajavi (Persian: مریم رجوی, born 4 December 1953) is an Iranian political leader. She is known for leading the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), a group that wants to bring about changes in the Iranian government. She is also the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). She is married to Massoud Rajavi, who is also a leader in the MEK.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Maryam Rajavi was born in Tehran, Iran, on December 4, 1953. She grew up in a family that worked in public service. She went to the Sharif University of Technology in Iran. There, she earned a degree in metallurgy, which is the study of metals.
Starting a Political Career
Rajavi says her journey into politics began when she was 22 years old. Her sisters faced serious harm because of their political beliefs. This inspired her to join the People's Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
In the 1970s, Rajavi helped organize student movements against the Shah, who was the ruler of Iran at the time. In 1979, she became an official in the social section of the PMOI/MEK. She also ran as a candidate for parliament in 1980. In 1982, Rajavi moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, France. This is where the main political office of the Mojahedin was located.
In 1985, Rajavi became a co-leader of the MEK. Her marriage to Massoud Rajavi in Paris was seen as a symbol for women to stand against forced marriages. The group also presented this as important for their "ideological revolution." They believed it showed the important role of women in the Muslim world.
Between 1989 and 1993, Rajavi served as the Secretary General of the MEK. On October 22, 1993, the NCRI chose Rajavi to be "Iran’s interim President." This meant she would lead Iran if the NCRI came to power.
In October 2011, the UK Home Secretary, Theresa May, prevented Rajavi from visiting Britain. Rajavi had planned to speak about how women are treated in Iran. Some members of the UK House of Lords argued that this decision went against freedom of speech. In 2014, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom upheld the ban. However, Rajavi is not banned from other European countries. She often meets with lawmakers in the European Parliament.
On July 30, 2016, Maryam Rajavi met with Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the State of Palestine, in Paris, France.
Electoral History
Rajavi ran for parliament in 1980. She received a significant number of votes but did not win the election.
Activism and Vision
In 1992, the European Parliament Council supported Maryam Rajavi's efforts. She advocated for the international community to act to protect women’s rights. This came after concerns about human rights in Iran.
In 2006, Rajavi presented her plan at the Council of Europe. This plan supports full equality for women in political and social rights. It specifically calls for women to have equal roles in political leadership. Her 10-point plan for Iran's future states that all forms of discrimination against women would end. It also says women would have the right to choose their clothing freely. The plan also includes ending harsh punishments.
In April 2021, Maryam Rajavi supported Resolution HR 118. This resolution expresses support for the Iranian people's wish for a democratic republic. It also condemns human rights violations and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian government.
In July 2021, Rajavi organized a rally in Berlin. This protest was against the election of Ebrahim Raisi as President of Iran. Rajavi called Raisi a "henchman" because of his role in the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joined the protest. He showed his support for Rajavi and the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
Rajavi also spoke out against the 2017 Tehran attacks by ISIS. She stated that ISIS's actions helped the Iranian regime's Supreme Leader. She said the regime tries to make itself look like a victim.
A 10-point plan published by Rajavi outlines her vision for Iran. She supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements. She calls for ending the death penalty and creating a fair legal system. Rajavi also wants to stop Iran's funding of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. She is committed to peaceful relations with all countries. Her plan also supports private property and a market economy.
In June 2020, many members of the USA's House of Representatives supported a resolution. This resolution backed Rajavi and the NCRI's call for a democratic Iran. It also condemned Iranian state-sponsored terrorism. The resolution supported Rajavi's 10-point plan for Iran's future. This plan includes a universal right to vote, a market economy, and a non-nuclear Iran.
Most MEK members are based in Albania. In 2024, Rajavi stated that the death of Ebrahim Raisi was a major blow to Iran's Supreme Leader.
2018 Rally Incident
In 2018, an Iranian diplomat named Asadollah Asadi was tried in a high-profile case. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. This was for planning a terrorism plot against a rally led by Maryam Rajavi. Many people, including Western leaders, were at the rally.
Books
Maryam Rajavi has written several books about her ideas and vision:
- Great March towards Freedom
- No to Compulsory Religion, No to Compulsory Government Illustrated
- Women, Islam and Fundamentalism
- Iran Will Be Free
- Key to Countering Islamic Fundamentalism
See also
In Spanish: Maryam Rajavi para niños
- List of Iranian women
- List of people from Tehran
- France–Iran relations
