Mohammad Ali Taheri, PhD.
Interuniversalism Founder
Mohammad Ali Taheri, PhD.
Mohammad Ali Taheri, PhD. is an Iranian researcher and peace advocate best known for founding Interuniversalism and its Complimentary Alternative Medicine branches Faradarmani and Psymentology. He is the recipient of three honorary doctorates and various awards, author of eight books and numerous articles, and has lectured to thousands of academics, scientists, and spiritual seekers in over seven countries. Dr. Taheri's research has been presented at over 25 international conferences worldwide.
Three decades ago Dr. Taheri began presenting his research on the nature of consciousness and introduced Faradarmani and Psymentology as Complementary Alternative Medicines; and over decade ago initiated a successful addictions treatment program notable for its efficacy and efficiency in completely resolving opioid use.
View Dr. Taheri's resume.
Imprisonment
In 2010 Dr. Taheri was arrested on false accusations of participating in and promoting the anti-governmental group Chereekhahyeh Fadohee Halgh, which is considered by the Iranian government to be a threat to national security. On October 30, 2011, after three court sessions, Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison for blasphemy, 74 lashes for touching the wrists of female patients, and 900 million Toman in fines (approximately $300, 000) for "interfering in medical science, earning illegitimate funds, and distribution of audio-visual products and use of academic titles." In August 2015 Dr. Taheri was sentenced to death, but a year later all charges were rescinded based on lack of evidence. However, the Revolutionary Guard (autonomous military in Iran that controls the prison system, among many other federal-level systems), kept him imprisioned, charged him in a lower court (in contravention of Iran's laws) with Mofsed-e-filarz (a broad term encompassing terrorism and offences against God), and interrogated and tortured Taheri in an attempt to obtain a confession. While a confession was never obtained, the lower court judge, acting on personal interests with the Revolutionary Guard, kept Taheri's case open. In the course of further investigation, 150 participants in Taheri's classes at the Iranian University of Medical Sciences were arrested for participating in illegal gatherings (which was not in fact the case, as Taheri's classes and related published material were endorsed by the Iranian government prior to his arrest). These 150 individuals were subsequently tortured and their families threatened in an attempt to obtain confessions that would support the charge of Mofsed-e-filarz. These arrests are particularly offensive to simple logic because, under Iranian law, any confessions obtained through this means would not be considered as permissible evidence in court. The Revolutionary Guard then had the case transferred to a new judge who gave an execution order in 2017. However, this order was also rescinded due to its incoherence with the previously dropped charges, lack of evidence, and international outcry.
Since Dr. Taheri's initial arrest, he has gone on 17 hunger strikes, been in a coma eight times due to torture, and has survived one assassination attempt while in a coma. He has endured countless threats against his family and the conditions of eight years in solitary confinement in Evin Prison. Unfortunately, Dr. Taheri's case is similar to those of other leaders of free-thinking philosophical, spiritual, and religious groups that do not conform to the standards of the fundamentalist State. Many have been falsely accused and executed, or died under torture.
Dr. Taheri is considered a "prisoner of conscience" by several countries and international groups including Amnesty International and the United Nations. A press statement from Heather Nauert, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson on Sept. 1, 2017 reads:
We are deeply concerned by reports that an Iranian court has sentenced Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of an Iranian spiritual movement, to death. The charges of founding a religious cult and “spreading corruption on earth” are inconsistent with Iran’s international obligations to respect and ensure his freedoms of expression and religion or belief and to reserve the death penalty “only for the most serious crimes.” We are also deeply disturbed by reports that a number of Taheri’s followers have been recently arrested on similar objectionable charges.
We call on the Iranian Government to take whatever steps necessary to reverse Taheri’s conviction and death sentence. We join our voice with those who call on Iran to uphold its obligations under Iranian and international law and to ensure that the human rights of all individuals in Iran are respected and guaranteed.
For more information, see Complaint letters issued by Mohammad Ali Taheri to the 90th principle of the Islamic Parliament
Because of Iran's current political climate, Dr. Taheri's ongoing imprisonment, and the persecution of Interuniversalism Tutors and Practitioners, Interuniversalism (Erfan Halqeh) has gone largely underground within the country. Part of IEHCF's mission is to support the continuation of this important work in Canada.
Three decades ago Dr. Taheri began presenting his research on the nature of consciousness and introduced Faradarmani and Psymentology as Complementary Alternative Medicines; and over decade ago initiated a successful addictions treatment program notable for its efficacy and efficiency in completely resolving opioid use.
View Dr. Taheri's resume.
Imprisonment
In 2010 Dr. Taheri was arrested on false accusations of participating in and promoting the anti-governmental group Chereekhahyeh Fadohee Halgh, which is considered by the Iranian government to be a threat to national security. On October 30, 2011, after three court sessions, Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison for blasphemy, 74 lashes for touching the wrists of female patients, and 900 million Toman in fines (approximately $300, 000) for "interfering in medical science, earning illegitimate funds, and distribution of audio-visual products and use of academic titles." In August 2015 Dr. Taheri was sentenced to death, but a year later all charges were rescinded based on lack of evidence. However, the Revolutionary Guard (autonomous military in Iran that controls the prison system, among many other federal-level systems), kept him imprisioned, charged him in a lower court (in contravention of Iran's laws) with Mofsed-e-filarz (a broad term encompassing terrorism and offences against God), and interrogated and tortured Taheri in an attempt to obtain a confession. While a confession was never obtained, the lower court judge, acting on personal interests with the Revolutionary Guard, kept Taheri's case open. In the course of further investigation, 150 participants in Taheri's classes at the Iranian University of Medical Sciences were arrested for participating in illegal gatherings (which was not in fact the case, as Taheri's classes and related published material were endorsed by the Iranian government prior to his arrest). These 150 individuals were subsequently tortured and their families threatened in an attempt to obtain confessions that would support the charge of Mofsed-e-filarz. These arrests are particularly offensive to simple logic because, under Iranian law, any confessions obtained through this means would not be considered as permissible evidence in court. The Revolutionary Guard then had the case transferred to a new judge who gave an execution order in 2017. However, this order was also rescinded due to its incoherence with the previously dropped charges, lack of evidence, and international outcry.
Since Dr. Taheri's initial arrest, he has gone on 17 hunger strikes, been in a coma eight times due to torture, and has survived one assassination attempt while in a coma. He has endured countless threats against his family and the conditions of eight years in solitary confinement in Evin Prison. Unfortunately, Dr. Taheri's case is similar to those of other leaders of free-thinking philosophical, spiritual, and religious groups that do not conform to the standards of the fundamentalist State. Many have been falsely accused and executed, or died under torture.
Dr. Taheri is considered a "prisoner of conscience" by several countries and international groups including Amnesty International and the United Nations. A press statement from Heather Nauert, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson on Sept. 1, 2017 reads:
We are deeply concerned by reports that an Iranian court has sentenced Mohammad Ali Taheri, the founder of an Iranian spiritual movement, to death. The charges of founding a religious cult and “spreading corruption on earth” are inconsistent with Iran’s international obligations to respect and ensure his freedoms of expression and religion or belief and to reserve the death penalty “only for the most serious crimes.” We are also deeply disturbed by reports that a number of Taheri’s followers have been recently arrested on similar objectionable charges.
We call on the Iranian Government to take whatever steps necessary to reverse Taheri’s conviction and death sentence. We join our voice with those who call on Iran to uphold its obligations under Iranian and international law and to ensure that the human rights of all individuals in Iran are respected and guaranteed.
For more information, see Complaint letters issued by Mohammad Ali Taheri to the 90th principle of the Islamic Parliament
Because of Iran's current political climate, Dr. Taheri's ongoing imprisonment, and the persecution of Interuniversalism Tutors and Practitioners, Interuniversalism (Erfan Halqeh) has gone largely underground within the country. Part of IEHCF's mission is to support the continuation of this important work in Canada.