The election committee announced the following new Board of directors have been elected for a period of two years: 

The upcoming Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) annual general meeting (AGM 2026) will be held online on August 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm ET. A video call link to attend the meeting will be shared with the members through email in future communication. The agenda of the meeting is as follows:  

• Call to order  
• President’s report  
• Treasurer’s report and review of the 2025 financial statement
• Members' survey report
• Announcement of the election results  
• Q&A 
• Adjournment  

Please note that an election is also held for the two available seats on the board of directors of the ICC for the next two years. The membership deadline to participate in the election was until end of 24th of July 2026. The election will be held by online voting which has started on Sunday July 26th, 2026 and will end on August 2nd, 2026, at 1:45 pm. The election will be conducted through a platform called Electionbuddy and you have received an email from Electionbuddy with instructions for voting.   

The ICC board of directors is committed to transparency in finance. The 2025 financial statement is available here and will also be presented at the AGM.  

The nomination window for the upcoming election was closed on July 14th, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET and the following candidates (ordered alphabetically) will run for the upcoming election:  

You can find information about the candidates by visiting the above links.  

Thank you for being a valued member of the ICC.  

Iranian Canadian Congress
http://www.iccongress.ca/

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) continues to unequivocally condemn the unprovoked war imposed on Iran by the United States and Israel and expresses its profound concern over the ongoing escalation of violence. We stand in solidarity with all civilians affected by this conflict and recognize the immense human suffering that accompanies war.

The continued hostilities have deeply affected families both within Iran and across the diaspora, including many members of the Iranian Canadian community. Beyond the devastating humanitarian consequences, the conflict has also had significant social, economic, and psychological impacts on Canadians with family members, friends, and loved ones in the region.

The ICC supports Canada’s calls for de-escalation and the peaceful resolution of conflict. We further condemn violations of international humanitarian law and international criminal law committed by both state and non-state actors. Accountability must apply equally to all parties responsible for unlawful conduct during armed conflict (United Nations, 1945; International Criminal Court, 1998).

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, together with the Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law, establishes clear protections for civilians and civilian objects during armed conflict. Deliberate or indiscriminate attacks directed against civilians or civilian infrastructure—including hospitals, schools, universities, medical facilities, water systems, food supplies, places of worship, and other indispensable civilian infrastructure—may constitute war crimes under international law (Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, 1949; International Committee of the Red Cross, 1977; Rome Statute, 1998, arts. 8(2)(b)(i), 8(2)(b)(ii), & 8(2)(b)(ix); Henckaerts & Doswald-Beck, 2005; Dinstein, 2022).

The modern framework of international humanitarian law and the United Nations system was established in the aftermath of the First and Second World Wars to prevent humanity from repeating the horrors of genocide, crimes against humanity, and other mass atrocities that devastated entire nations. The Geneva Conventions, the United Nations Charter, and, more recently, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court were created precisely to reject the doctrine that “might makes right” and to replace unilateral aggression with a rules-based international order founded on respect for human dignity, state sovereignty, human rights, and the peaceful settlement of disputes (United Nations, 1945; United Nations, 1948; Best, 1994; Cassese et al., 2013). Canada has long championed these principles, which have helped shape our national identity, democratic institutions, and longstanding commitment to the rule of law, international cooperation, human rights, and international humanitarian law (Department of National Defence, 2021). The erosion of these fundamental norms threatens not only the people directly affected by armed conflict but also the stability and security of the international community as a whole (Sassòli, 2019).

The ICC is deeply alarmed by credible reports of attacks affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure throughout the conflict. This includes the bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, which claimed the lives of 168 civilians, most of them school children (United Nations Children's Fund [UNICEF], 2026), in a double-tap strike against a protected civilian site. Such an attack would constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law and may likely amount to a war crime under the Rome Statute (International Criminal Court, 1998, art. 8; Dinstein, 2022; Sassòli, 2019). We call for an independent, impartial investigation and for all those responsible to be held accountable under international law.

More broadly, we unequivocally condemn all unlawful attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against educational institutions, medical facilities, humanitarian personnel, residential neighborhoods, and other protected civilian sites represent serious violations of international humanitarian law and undermine the fundamental principles established to protect human life during armed conflict (Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, 1949; International Committee of the Red Cross, 1977; Henckaerts & Doswald-Beck, 2005; Sassòli, 2019).

We therefore urge the Government of Canada to continue championing international law, support independent investigations into alleged violations, hold perpetrators accountable through appropriate international legal mechanisms, and work with the international community to strengthen the protection of civilians, consistent with Canada's longstanding commitment to the rule of law and the international rules-based order (United Nations, 1945; Department of National Defence, 2021).

The Iranian Canadian Congress remains steadfast in its commitment to peace and justice. We condemn the war on Iran and do not believe that military aggression and adventurism can bring lasting peace to Iran or the broader region of West Asia. History has repeatedly demonstrated that armed conflict inflicts profound human suffering, destabilizes entire regions, and creates long-term consequences that extend far beyond national borders (Best, 1994; Cassese et al., 2013).

We therefore call upon all parties to pursue dialogue and peaceful, non-partisan avenues toward reconciliation, accountability, and a just and sustainable peace grounded in respect for international law, human rights, and the dignity of all people (United Nations, 1945; United Nations, 1948).

References

Best, G. (1994). War and law since 1945. Oxford University Press.

Cassese, A., & Gaeta, P. (2013). Cassese’s international criminal law (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Department of National Defence. (2021). The law of armed conflict at the operational and tactical levels. Government of Canada.

Dinstein, Y. (2022). The conduct of hostilities under the law of international armed conflict (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Fourth Geneva Convention), August 12, 1949, 75 U.N.T.S. 287.

Henckaerts, J.-M., & Doswald-Beck, L. (2005). Customary international humanitarian law (Vols. I–II). Cambridge University Press & International Committee of the Red Cross.

International Committee of the Red Cross. (1977). Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I).

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. (1998). 2187 U.N.T.S.

Sassòli, M. (2019). International humanitarian law: Rules, controversies, and solutions to problems arising in warfare. Edward Elgar Publishing.

United Nations. (1945). Charter of the United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter

United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. General Assembly Resolution 217 A (III). https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

United Nations Children's Fund. (2026, March 5). The brutality of war measured in children's lives as hostilities escalate in Iran. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/brutality-war-measured-childrens-lives-hostilities-escalate-iran

Dr. Saba Safdar is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Guelph and Director of the Social Practice and Transformational Change (SOPR) Ph.D. program. For more than two decades, her work has focused on immigration, multiculturalism, identity, and building more
inclusive communities.
Her research examines the experiences of immigrants and refugees, exploring how factors such as culture, gender, discrimination, and public policy shape integration, belonging, and well-being. She has worked closely with diverse communities in Canada and internationally to better understand the opportunities and challenges newcomers face and to identify practical approaches that foster social inclusion.
Dr. Safdar is committed to ensuring that research informs public policy and community practice.
Through collaborations with community organizations, government agencies, and international partners, she has contributed to initiatives that promote intercultural understanding, equity, and the full participation of diverse communities in society.
She has authored more than 80 scholarly publications and has held numerous international leadership roles, including serving as President of the International Academy for Intercultural Research (2023–2025). She currently represents Canada at the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) and directs EDUCATE, the educational initiative of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology.
As a nominee for the Iranian Canadian Congress Executive Board, Dr. Safdar brings extensive expertise in immigration, multiculturalism, and community inclusion. She is committed to fostering civic engagement, strengthening connections within the Iranian Canadian community, and contributing research-informed perspectives to support the Congress's mission.

Dr. Hossein Rafiei Renani
Hossein is a consulting professional and human rights advocate, speaker, and writer based in Vancouver,
Canada. He acts in solidarity with Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, and the Global South against foreign military
aggressions, sanctions, coups, and interference. He has collaborated with the Iranian Canadian Congress
(ICC), Iranian charitable organizations, and cultural centres.
Hossein was born in Iran during the Western-backed Iraq’s eight-year invasion of Iran. He grew up in Iran
under Western sanctions and received free public education up to the Master’s level. He then moved to
Canada to advance his education. After completing his doctoral and post-doctoral research, he provides
professional consulting services in Canada.
In opposition to the Western-backed Israeli genocide in Palestine and wars of aggression against Iran,
Hossein has organized and participated in civil society campaigns such as demonstrations, public outreach,
and petitions like Parliamentary petition e-6662. He has collaborated with the ICC to push back against the
Canadian government’s unconscionable statements regarding the illegal US-Israeli wars on Iran in 2025 and
2026 which have so far led to the martyrdom of at least 4,532 Iranians, including over 168 children and
teachers of Minab’s elementary school.
Hossein’s objective is building common understanding and coalitions, mobilizing and synergizing the
power of individual Iranians in Canada to advance the interests of all Iranians. He believes that the Iranian
Canadian Congress is a useful platform for advancing these goals. If you share these goals, please support
and promote his nomination for election to the ICC Board of Directors.

Over the last year, I have engaged with the Iranian Canadian Congress
Board of Directors, advocating for greater transparency, accountability,
respect for the Congress's bylaws, and a stronger commitment to serving
the interests of the Iranian Canadian community. Unfortunately, I
witnessed a growing gap between these principles and the Board’s actions.
As a result, I decided to run in the 2026 election.
My goal is to help strengthen democratic governance within the Congress,
reduce the influence of narrow political and economic interests, and
reclaim the organization’s credibility and reputation. I believe the
Iranian Canadian community deserves a Congress that represents all voices
fairly and one that its members can truly be proud of.
WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM

Arghavan Emami was born in Tehran, Iran and is currently resident of BC, Canada. She got her BSc degree in Electrical Engineering in Iran and her MSc and PhD in the field of channel modeling of advanced communication systems, in Canada. She is recipient of numerous postgraduate scholarships during her PhD program, and has contributed in academic community by various scientific journal publications in her field of research. She also has about 15 years of experience in Telecom Industry.

Arghavan is passionate about volunteering in charities, helping unprivileged people to have a better life, and promoting peace through activities against war, occupation, sanction, racism and Islamophobia. She has voluntarily helped and supported many Iranian newcomers to have an easier and smoother transition.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading Iranian poems, swimming, playing badminton, and hiking.

The ICC board of directors is pleased to announce that the next ICC annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on August 2 from 1 PM ET (10 AM PT). The meeting will be held on a videoconferencing platform.   

An online election will also be held for the 2 available seats in the ICC board of directors. We encourage all interested members to consult with Section 2 of Article 5 of the ICC by-laws for nomination eligibility, and if eligible, declare their nomination by sending an email to [email protected]. The deadline for sending nomination emails is July 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET. The email must include and attach the following:  

• A confirmation by the nominee that he or she has nominated himself or herself, or that he or she has been nominated by others and has accepted such nomination, for election to the ICC board of directors;  
• A confirmation by the nominee that he/she meets the eligibility criteria, as set out in Section 2 of Article 5 of the ICC by-laws;  
• A government-issued ID; and  
• A synopsis of the nominee’s background/biographical sketch and the reasons they wish to serve as a director on the ICC board of directors (maximum 300 words in English. Farsi is optional. This information is to be provided in MS Word or pdf file format). A passport size photo of the nominee in digital format is also optional. Information and the photograph provided by the nominees will be posted on the ICC website.  

Please note that only ICC members who have joined/renewed their membership by July 24, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET will be entitled to attend the upcoming AGM and vote in the election. For any membership questions, you may contact [email protected].  

• In the upcoming election, members will choose two board members. The election will be held online, starting and ending prior to the AGM. Members will receive a link through email to participate in the election after July 25th. Election results will be announced at the AGM.  
• There are proposed changes to ICC bylaws by the board of directors which will be on the ballot for the AGM. The details will be announced shortly.
• The ICC board of directors has selected an election committee, consisting of three ICC members, to oversee the election process. These individuals are Mr. Ahmad Ehsandar, Mr. Habib Ghaffari, and Mr. Moslem Noori. 

Further details such as instructions for attending the AGM, the link for online voting, and the AGM videoconferencing will be shared with the members in future communications. 

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) expresses its deep concern regarding the treatment of Iran’s national football team, players, officials, and supporters during the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Sport has long served as a bridge between peoples, cultures, and nations. International sporting events should be spaces where athletes are judged by their performance on the field; not by political tensions, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or geopolitical disputes. Unfortunately, reports emerging from the tournament suggest that Iran’s national team has faced extraordinary logistical, administrative, and political obstacles that have not been applied equally to other participating nations.

According to multiple media reports, Iranian players and officials have faced visa restrictions, travel disruptions, the denial of entry to members of their delegation, forced cross-border travel arrangements, and limited access to the same accommodations and recovery opportunities afforded to other teams. Iranian players and coaching staff have publicly stated that these conditions have negatively affected their preparation, well-being, and ability to compete on equal terms.

ICC is equally troubled by reports of hostility directed toward the Iranian national anthem, the Iranian flag, and Iranian supporters. While individuals have every right to peacefully express political opinions, collective hostility toward athletes and fans based solely on their nationality undermines the principles of fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect that international sport is meant to uphold.

The Iranian national team does not represent a monolithic political viewpoint. It consists of athletes who have dedicated their lives to representing their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Regardless of one’s political beliefs, players should not become targets of discrimination, harassment, or unequal treatment.

We therefore call upon FIFA, tournament organizers, and host authorities in Canada, the United States, and Mexico to:

1. Ensure that all participating teams are treated fairly and consistently.
2. Guarantee equal access to travel, accommodations, training facilities, and recovery opportunities.
3. Protect players, officials, and supporters from discrimination and harassment.
4. Uphold FIFA’s commitment to respect, inclusion, and the non-politicization of sport.
5. Ensure that all fans can safely and peacefully support their teams without intimidation.

The Iranian Canadian Congress firmly believes that disagreements between governments should never result in the unequal treatment of athletes or ordinary people. The World Cup should be a celebration of human excellence, international friendship, and the unifying power of sport.

At a time when divisions around the world are deepening, we urge all stakeholders to reaffirm the principles of dignity, equality, and respect for all participants.

Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC)