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Hossein Ziai Obituary
July 6, 1944 - August 24, 2011
We regret to inform the friends, family, students and colleagues of Dr. Hossein Ziai of his passing on August 24, 2011. Dr. Ziai was professor of Islamic and Iranian Studies, Inaugural holder of the Jahangir and Eleanor Amuzegar Chair in Iranian Studies and the director of Iranian Studies at UCLA, where he had taught since 1988. He received his Ph.D. in Islamic Philosophy from Harvard University in 1976. Prior to his position at UCLA, Dr. Ziai taught at Tehran University, Sharif University, Harvard University, Brown University, and Oberlin College. Dr. Ziai's numerous publications cover Islamic philosophy, the Iranian Illuminationist School of philosophy and "Persian Poetic Wisdom" defined in relation to the epistemology of knowledge by presence. Dr. Ziai is survived by his wife Mahasti, his son Dadali, his daughter-in-law Stephanie and his grand-daughters Malia and Acacia.
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Memories and Condolences
for Hossein Ziai
Michele Biagioni
September 12, 2011
I am saddened to learn of Dr Ziai’s passing. I took a course with him years ago when he taught at Harvard University Extension. He demonstrated an unfailing commitment to learning – it didn’t seem to matter to him that we worked full time, had life commitments beyond those of typical Ivy-League undergraduates. We wanted to learn, he wanted to share his knowledge with us, prompting us to want to learn more. I am sorry for his family, the UCLA community, and the profession.
Mary Naficy
September 5, 2011
Mrs. Ziai and the Ziai family,
The news of Prof. Ziai's passing brought back memories of Tehran when he was attached to the Center for the Study of Civilizations. I was to begin work on helping him publish his dissertation. Thirty some years just seemed to have rushed by. My husband and I send our deepest condolences on your loss.
william royce
September 5, 2011
Dear Mahasti,
I was shocked to learn of Hossein's death from a friend in SanFrancisco. I believe I first met him in 1969 in Tehran.I will always treasure his friendhip and yours.
bill Royce
Manou Manouchehr Cohen
September 2, 2011
Dear Mrs. Ziai - Mahasti Afshar
My name is Manouchehr Cohen and I am Professor Hossein Ziai Classmate for 6 years in Alborz High school. I talked with him approximately 45 days ago and we make an appointment for Wednesday September 14 to meet with the founder of (Arshiv Mellei Iran, Fundation) He help us to stablish this fundation more than years but exactly at the day we recived our legal paper work August 24, and I called Dr. Nahid Pirnazar to congradulate her , I found her voice so sad and I asked why and she said very sad story. I wrote an assy, regarding his help for this fundation. Anywhow I just to tell you about my sympathy and my deep sadnes, I don't have any words to express my feeling , I wish you and Dadali the best in future life and I am sure his soal will rest in peace forever. God bless every body especially Dr. Ziai Family
Manouchehr Cohen ( 310) 294- 4600
The email Add. is [email protected]
Graduation 2007
Ghazzal Dabiri
September 1, 2011
Professor Ziai was a kind, generous, and compassionate man and my doctoral adviser. He was a father figure to many of his graduate students and we mourn him as a father. Iranian Studies has suffered a loss, a gaping abyss of a loss, but we as his students are determined to keep his legacy alive. We will remember him always with love. My deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his wife, son, and grandchildren.
September 1, 2011
Mahasti jan
We were shocked and dismayed by the sad news of Hossein's death. He was a dear friend and mentor. I was very worried to see him in June. He had lost so much weight but he was as combative as ever. This is a great loss for our project to establish the Center for Iranian Studies at UCLA. He was the main pillar of this Center and it was his life-time dream.
We all wish you and Dadali a long life.
Hamid, Meira and Farkhondeh Sabi
August 29, 2011
I remember first meeting Hossein at the Coffee Bean in Westwood shortly after his arrival at UCLA in 1988 long before his many contributions to our department and our many friendly conversations over the years. I find it hard to believe he is no longer with us. My deep condolences to his family.
Ralph Jaeckel
August 29, 2011
Dear Mahasti:
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
With Sincere Sympathy, Manoochehr Sadeghi
Daniel Korobkin
August 28, 2011
The world has suffered a tragic loss with the passing of Hossein Ziai, who, in addition to being a brilliant scholar was a gentle soul of great passion and kindness. He was my supervisor during my years at UCLA as a graduate student, and I fondly recall the many meetings we had in his office, surrounded by his Arabic and Persian books and his soft-cushioned chair. Besides studying Arabic philosophical texts together, he shared with me his great concern over the welfare of his fellow Iranians who were being oppressed in his homeland, and his heroic efforts on their behalf and on behalf of democracy and freedom throughout the Middle East and the world. To Prof. Ziai's wife and children, you have our deepest sympathies. For us, he was much more than a teacher. He is mourned as a father and mentor by so many of his students and friends. As we say in the Jewish tradition, may his memory be a blessing, and may his soul be bound with the eternal Bond of Life.
Rabbi N. Daniel Korobkin
Senior Rabbi, Beth Avraham Yoseph Synagogue of Toronto
Ani Honarchian
August 27, 2011
God knows among everything else, what will break my heart most, is to walk into the hallway of third floor of Humanities and see that the only door which was always open for us, the door we enter with gloomy hearts and leave filled with hope and light is now closed and the man we wished to see is now gone forever.
Forever our Professor, Hossein Ziai
It was an honor to be you student
Amir Kojoory
August 27, 2011
This is such sad news, I was blown away. Dear Mahsti you are in my thought, I share your grief
Mohamad Tavakoli-TArghi
August 27, 2011
Hossein Ziai was a passionate scholar and an exceptional colleague. Here is what he wrote to me in April 2011: " . . . I think the new wave of consciousness about democracy, law and justice in Iran does require academic discussion on what has always been taboo subjects, such that bizarre conspiracy theories cover the truth. I am guardedly optimistic on the future, even the near future, of Iran and education must play a role now."
August 27, 2011
I’m sad and shocked to hear of Hossein’s passing. I knew him when we were high school students and came to the U.S. over 50 years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. With my deepest condolences,
Manijeh Golbabai Badiozamani
Shaul Shaked
August 27, 2011
I got to know Dr Hossein Ziai during my last extended visit to Los Angeles, having known him from his scholarly publications a long time before. Since then I corresponded with him, and suggested collaboration, which he willingly and gracefully accepted. He was a warm hearted and open-minded person, and I shall never forget his kindness and his scholarship. My heartfelt sympathy to his family. May he rest in peace.
Shaul Shaked, Jerusalem (Israel)
TANNAZ TEBBBI
August 26, 2011
Dr Ziai azizam, I still cant believe that your not longer with us...thanks for all the good memories and you will be missed tremendously. You were an amazing person and one of my favorite professor at UCLA. I will never forget the story that we learned about " The Tragedy of Rostam and Sohrab"... that was just a story, but for your family, Persian community and your students, not having you around is more than a Tragedy..
Love
TANNAZ TEBBI
August 26, 2011
Dr Ziai azizam, I still cant believe that your not longer with us...thanks for all the good memories and you will be missed tremendously. You were an amazing person and one of my favorite professor at UCLA. I will never forget the story that we learned about " The Tragedy of Rostam and Sohrab"... that was just a story, but for your family, Persian community and your students, not having you around is more than a Tragedy..
Love
Jeffrey, Nahid, Shireen and Jasmine Oberman
August 26, 2011
May your soul always rest in peace.
Our dear friend,
Hans Barnard and Willeke Wendrich
August 26, 2011
The world is so much more empty without Hossein. We'll miss his important work as a scholar but perhaps most of all his warmth and caring attention for students and colleagues alike. Our thoughts are with his family. We'll miss you, Hossein.
Roozbeh Kavian
August 26, 2011
Rest in Peace Dr Ziai.
Esther Chang
August 26, 2011
Hossein was one of the most amazing men I've ever known. Kind-hearted, and welcoming~ Hossein made my first few months at UCLA comfortable and easy. Over the course of a year, I saw that he loved each student and lovingly advised them throughout their academic careers. Working with him on Graduate Student matters, I saw his passion for their best interests and their well-being.
My fondest memories of Dr. Ziai:
Hossien used to gently scold me for twisting my pen caps (like a father); he was always concerned when I was sick; he always checked in to say hello; showed me pictures of his gorgeous grand-daughters; shared stories of his weekend, advocated for his students; and treated everyone with the utmost respect.
Dr. Hossein Ziai was one of the kindest men I've ever known. His intelligence, wisdom, passion and charm will be greatly missed. It was an honor to know him and I'm glad I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Ziai.
My prayers are with his friends, family and all those who are mourning.
Kara Cooney
August 26, 2011
I am so shocked that Hossein will no longer be with us. He was so generous with his time and his spirit. He always loved seeing my little boy whenever I brought him to the office and even danced with him in the hallways a time or two. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with his family, his friends, his students, and his colleagues.
Michelle Lambarena
August 26, 2011
Dear Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, he will be missed tremendously.
Love,
Michelle Lambarena
Humanities Admin Staff
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