Ahmad Masjed-Jamei

Ahmad Masjed-Jamei is an Iranian reformist politician, who served as Culture Minister under President Mohammad Khatami from 2000 to 2005, and was elected a Tehran City Councillor in 2006.

Culture Minister

Jamei became Culture Minster when Khatami's first minister, Ata'ollah Mohajerani, was forced to resign following criticism by conservatives for "eroding moral standards". [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1070856.stm Senior reformer quits in Iran] , "BBC", 2000-12-14] Jamei previously served as deputy Culture Minister.

As Culture Minister he promoted freedom of the press, saying it helps to prevent the accumulation of "negative anxieties" in society. [ [http://www.payvand.com/news/03/may/1012.html Iranian Culture minister calls for freedom of press] , "Payvand", 2003-04-05 ] However his efforts were undermined by the judiciary which was controlled by the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, which ordered the closure of over 100 newspapers during Jamei's tenure as Culture Minister [ [http://www.worldaudit.org/presstable.html#Iran Press Freedom Table] , "Freedom House"] Jamei protested against the closure of newspapers and arrest of journalists without affect. [ [http://www.dawn.com/2002/02/17/int7.htm Iran minister protests questioning of journalists] , "Dawn (newspaper)", 2002-02-17]

Dialogue among Civilisations

After the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the Iranian presidential election of 2005, Jamei was appointed the managing director of the International Center for Dialogue Among Civilizations, an organisation founded by Khatami. [ [http://www.irandaily.ir/1384/2470/html/national.htm#s118659 Fresh Appeal for Civilizational Dialogue] , "Iran Daily", 2006-01-07]

References