Islamist Mohammad Jafar Mahallati Scandal at Oberlin College: an Interview with Writer Roya Hakakian

Jonathan Kay speaks with Roya Hakakian about the rise and fall of Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, a former Iranian official who’d presented himself to Oberlin as an agent of peace and ‘forgiveness.’

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[ghostofdayinperson]

“For many Muslims it is a religion of peace, but not so much for the Ayatollahs”.

You’re forgetting that the Islamic definition of peace is a world where everyone is Muslim.

Islam reminds me of that Twilight Zone episode where aliens come to earth and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes, presenting humans with a book called, “How to Serve Man”. And of course, it’s a cook book.

[theodorearaujo]

Now the General Counsel for Oberlin is working in the same role at Cornell. What an embarrassment for we alumni.

[MrElliotc]

I hope many people watch this, especially those who give money to these institutions.

[urielpolak]

Islamophobia is not a thing. Were is the irrational part?

[Quillette]

🎯 Key points for quick navigation:

00:00 *📜 Introduction to the Oberlin College Scandal*
- The discussion unveils a scandal involving Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, a former professor at Oberlin College, different from previous controversies the college faced.
- Mahallati's background as Iran's ambassador to the UN and his role in supporting a repressive regime are highlighted.
- Roya Hakakian's article sheds light on Mahallati's dark past and its implications for understanding modern Iranian history.
00:40 *🕊️ Mahallati's Background and Initial Encounter with Oberlin*
- The narrative explores Mahallati's rise to power, focusing on his family's influential status in Iran and his role in defending the regime at the UN.
- Mahallati cultivated a false image of being an opponent of the regime to gain acceptance at Oberlin College.
- Nancy Shapiro's decision to engage with Mahallati, believing in his potential for peace-building, reflects a larger conflict within Western understanding of Iranian politics.
02:18 *⚔️ Iran’s Dark Phase and Mahallati’s Involvement*
- The section discusses the Iranian government's brutal suppression of dissent in the late 1980s, particularly against the People's Mujahideen organization.
- Mahallati's role at the UN during a time when thousands were executed under a fatwa is scrutinized, raising questions about his knowledge and complicity.
- The personal connection of human rights activist Len Bazargan to the massacre is introduced, emphasizing the emotional impact on activists opposing Mahallati.
10:36 *🎤 Mahallati’s Defense and Public Image*
- Mahallati’s actions and statements at the UN, including his defense of a fatwa against a writer, highlight the contradictions between his public persona and his past.
- The complexities of Mahmadi's charm and charisma are discussed, suggesting they played a crucial role in how he gained acceptance within the Oberlin community.
- Critiques arise concerning the lack of scrutiny among Oberlin faculty and administration regarding Mahallati’s background, rooted in a larger discourse about Islamophobia.
24:19 *🔍 Islamophobia, Acceptance and Mahallati’s Academic Standing*
- This section delves into how Oberlin's measures to counteract Islamophobia inadvertently facilitated Mahallati's position within the college.
- The dangers of embracing extremist narratives as a counter-response to prejudice are examined, emphasizing the well-intentioned but misguided approaches by the university.
- Ultimately, the ramifications of accepting Mahallati despite unanswered questions about his qualifications are discussed, revealing the ideological divides in academia concerning Middle Eastern narratives.
26:10 *📜 Discussion on Mohammad Jafar Mahallati's Ideological Strategy*
- Mahallati seeks to promote Shia Islam while portraying a peaceful image.
- He mentions converting infidels subtly through a specific narrative.
- His writings reflect a strategy for the expansion of Shia Islam in the West.
- Emphasizes a branding approach that complicates criticism of his ideology.
30:04 *🌍 The Impact of 'Peace and Friendship' Initiatives at Oberlin*
- Mahallati's 'Friendship Day' illustrates his grasp of cultural dynamics in America.
- The initiative is tied to broader trends of Islamic academics influencing Western perceptions.
- His understanding of American progressive values helped him gain acceptance.
- Highlights the challenges of critically analyzing such initiatives without being labeled intolerant.
33:00 *📚 Unraveling the Opposition to Mahallati*
- A coalition of Oberlin alumni investigates Mahallati's past, leading to a series of controversies.
- The surfacing of anti-Semitic statements and a sexual harassment lawsuit trigger public scrutiny.
- Oberlin's negative media spotlight prior to these issues made it further necessary to act.
- The university's failure to respond to inquiries reflects a deeper institutional issue.
35:00 *🏛️ The Challenges of Reporting on Oberlin College*
- Hakakian describes her attempts to get responses from Oberlin officials and faculty.
- Media relations dismisses her due to her prior petition against Mahallati, questioning her objectivity.
- The lack of transparent communication from the university raises concerns about accountability.
- Highlights difficulties journalists face in navigating institutional biases and narratives.

Made with HARPA AI

[pfarias]

They don’t think they operate through emotionalism…

[acerrubrum]

How did he get a green card?
Do employers not do a background check?
Can these "Academics" not do basic research?

[ZoeBooth-bi]

🎯 Key points for quick navigation:

00:00 *Oberlin College scandal.*
00:15 *Previous scandal mention.*
00:28 *Muhammad Jafar Mahallati scandal.*
00:40 *Placed on leave.*
00:54 *Roya Hakakian discusses article.*
01:08 *Chronicles Mahallati's past.*
01:22 *Iran's UN ambassador.*
01:35 *Iran-Iraq war apologist.*
01:48 *People's Mujahadin repression.*
02:03 *Mass executions, human rights.*
02:16 *Len Bazargan's activism motivation.*
02:44 *Mahallati's controversial tenure.*
02:57 *Peace champion facade.*
03:10 *Oberlin career begins.*
03:26 *Questionable past ignored.*
03:53 *Harassment accusations emerged.*
04:06 *Promoted religious conversions.*
04:19 *Peaceful image cultivated.*
05:00 *Nancy Schrom pursued peace.*
05:39 *Iranian trip arranged.*
06:21 *Search for Common Ground.*
06:48 *UN ambassadorial beginnings.*
07:14 *Iran-Iraq war context.*
07:28 *Ayatollah's war ambitions.*
07:53 *Influential family background.*
08:36 *Religious elite privilege.*
09:17 *Claims of regime criticism.*
09:42 *Implied anti-regime image.*
10:24 *1988 executions occurred.*
10:49 *Peace talks necessity.*
11:15 *Mujahadin alignment with Iraq.*
11:53 *Iraqi hosting involvement.*
12:31 *Execution committee formed.*
12:56 *Ibrahim Raisi's involvement.*
13:25 *Widespread execution impact.*
13:49 *Families denied closure.*
14:03 *Families fear retaliation.*
14:44 *Execution defense accusations.*
15:14 *Claimed New York absence.*
15:27 *Iranian visit timelines.*
15:57 *Father's influential position.*
16:23 *Religious flashpoint tension.*
16:48 *Montazeri opposition position.*
17:14 *Montazeri called killings sin.*
17:42 *Defense during UN tenure.*
18:10 *Defense of Iran's actions.*
18:38 *Stance on Israel threat.*
19:02 *Appeal to American audiences.*
20:12 *Use of progressive language.*
21:07 *Lacked academic credentials.*
21:32 *Thin publication record.*
22:26 *Small school advantage.*
23:09 *Academic merit questioned.*
23:50 *Lack of scholarship merit.*
24:19 *Countering islamophobia extremes.*
25:01 *Questionable teaching intentions.*
26:24 *Conversion to Islam claims.*
27:06 *Advocated Shia Islam.*
27:46 *Articles on Shia expansion.*
28:10 *Projected peaceful intentions.*
28:25 *Ideology, not individuals*
29:21 *Academic space infiltration*
30:05 *Softened violent message*
30:44 *Friendship Day invention*
31:28 *Muslim perception advantage*
32:18 *Background investigation revelation*
33:27 *Anti-Semitic statement scrutiny*
33:57 *Families protest influence*
34:10 *Congressional inquiry impact*
35:15 *Media relations interference*

Made with HARPA AI

[jc]

Unfortunately the entire broadcast is also spliced up to the extent that it is impossible to watch. Too bad it's an important topic but something you might find on platforms from Third World countries. Sad. 😢

[jc]

The host should write a script and read instead of multiple splicing. It's annoying and distracts from the programme. Thank you.

[juvenalsdad]

In the UK there is currently an alliance of convenience between far-left activists, such as the Socialist Workers Party and their affiliates, and various radical Islamist groups. It would be interesting to see who gets to throw whom under the bus after 'The Revolution', but I am still hoping the traditional British dislike of such things will prevail.

[abrahamlevi]

The Board of Regents of the the Texas A&M University has decided to close its branch in Qatar in 2028 due to its ties with Hamas, To remind all, Texas A & M University is among the six senior military colleges.

[BethDiane]

At least the Halal/Kosher co-op is back.

[teepee]

And this was the school that Toni Morrison, a close neighbor of the college, plans for Denver in Beloved, literally her personna in the novel, because of its early history of admitting Blacks. I AM AN hOWARD PROFESSOR, AND i always brought THIS TO MY STUDENTS; ATTENTION, BECAUSE i TOO ADMIREED THE SCHOOL. wHAT A DISGRACE, t.p.mAHADEVAN,

[cateadie]

This is so interesting, Interesting, but I can’t watch it because of the incredibly irritating music in the background-what a shame! Please release this without the background music and I will listen to the whole thing