Dismissal of Head of Social Sciences Faculty at Allameh University Following 'Insult' to Mahsa Amini; Reactions: 'Scoundrel, Wretch' Dismissed

Following the 'insulting' remarks of the head of the Social Sciences Faculty at Allameh Tabatabai University regarding Mahsa Amini, the university's public relations announced on Tuesday, September 6, that Ali (Ardeshir) Entezari was dismissed due to 'the use of inappropriate expressions in the television program Shiveh.' On Monday, September 5, Ali Entezari, as an 'expert' on a program on the Islamic Republic's state television, referred to the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police as 'the demise of a Sunni Kurdish girl' and claimed, 'The Islamic Republic has dealt with various events in a very fatherly manner.' Mojgan Eftekhari, Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's mother, described Entezari's comments about her daughter 'Zhina Mahsa Alamtab' as 'an insult to all Iranians' and stated that 'this insult is a sign of disrespect for human dignity and citizens' rights.' She expressed that 'we expected you, as an academic official, to refrain from making incorrect and insulting remarks,' adding, 'But it seems that hatred has become ingrained in your mind.' Some users reacted to Entezari's dismissal using his own words and also referencing Mahsa Amini's father's response. For instance, Behrouz Rezaei, a civil activist, wrote on X: 'The good news is that the scoundrel, wretch has been dismissed.' Zahra Bayat-Rizi, an associate professor at the University of Alberta, also reacted to Entezari's remarks, noting that he spoke 'in a critical tone about how the government has alienated the people,' and mentioned that she was a classmate of Entezari's wife, who was 'a pioneer in alienation.' She added that Entezari coordinated with his wife in these actions since he was also at the university. Hours after Entezari's remarks on Monday, Amjad Amini, Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's father, described his comments as 'vulgar, insulting, and entirely false' and 'stemming from the mind of a scoundrel,' adding, 'Shame on him, it is better not to respond further.' Entezari's remarks sparked widespread reactions on social media. Among them, Fariborz Karami Zend, a former police officer, described the expressions used by the head of the Social Sciences Faculty as 'the height of depravity and immorality' of him and 'his regime.' Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old from Saqqez, fell into a coma while in custody of the morality police in Tehran on September 22, 2022, and died three days later at Kowsar Hospital. Her death triggered a wave of public protests against the Islamic Republic across Iran that lasted for months. These protests, which took place in streets, universities, and schools in various cities, saw unprecedented participation from Iranians living abroad and resulted in violence from government forces, the killing and injury of hundreds of protesters, and the arrest of thousands. In the lead-up to the anniversary of her death, Mahsa Amini's father published childhood photos of her.