Boston, Massachusetts

January 5, 2011



Ladies and Gentlemen,



Thank you for your attendance.



I wish to extend my family’s deep gratitude for the outpour of love and support from so many Iranians, from Iran, our beloved homeland, as well as those around the world; and people of different nationalities whose sympathies and support continues to strengthen our family, knowing that we are not alone as we grieve the tragic passing of my beloved brother, Alireza. Our gratitude also goes to the loving support from this great city of Boston, which served as home to my brother for the past several years.



Depression is an illness, often with tragic consequences; it has unfortunately a universal imprint affecting families around the world without regard to nationality, geography, age, gender or social and economic situation. My family has had its share of dealing with this debilitating illness, but we also realize it is not a tragedy isolated to us; we share this with the millions around the world, particularly those in our homeland Iran suffering from the same.



We mourn today, the succumbing of our beloved Alireza to the weight, pain and daily burdens of this grave illness, and because of its robbing the promise of yet another life, unfulfilled. Alireza will be remembered for many things, foremost among them, his serious passion for the history of the Iranian civilization. He was an accomplished scholar in the field having come here to Boston (Harvard) to complete his studies and research, extending his expertise which began in Princeton and then Colombia.



For those of you who have asked, my Brother left behind his final wishes, including his request for cremation and the remains released into the Caspian Sea, which we shall dutifully fulfill.



We are still finalizing our plans and arrangements in terms of a memorial service which will be shared with our friends around the world in due time.



At this time I would appreciate the media’s honoring my family’s need to privately morn this tragedy.



Thank you.