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) 

On May 12th, 2026, Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada sent the following response to Mona Ghassemi, President of ICC:

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/iraniancanadiancongress/pages/4726/attachments/original/1779210397/Message_from_the_Prime_Minister_of_Canada.pdf?1779210397

Mona Ghassemi, sent the letter below to the Prime Minister on 3rd of March, 2026:

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/iraniancanadiancongress/pages/4726/attachments/original/1779210403/Iranian_Canadian_Congress_letter_to_Prime_Minister-Signed.pdf?1779210403

Raise Your Voice for Accountability and International Law

Sign here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-7389

Step 2: Confirm in the email you get to register your signature.

A new House of Commons e-petition (e-7389) is calling on the Government of Canada to condemn the deadly attack on a school in Minab, Iran, support independent investigations, and review Canada’s military and arms-transfer relationships connected to the War on Iran.

If you believe civilian lives, international humanitarian law, and accountability matter, regardless of politics, take one minute to sign and share.

Every signature helps bring the issue before Parliament. Please share with friends, family, and your community across Canada.

Mona Borghei, Vice President of the Iranian Canadian Congress has written a letter to urge the Government of Canada to take a clear and principled position in response to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, including the attack on the Institute Pasteur of Iran, a critical scientific and public health institution.

We respectfully call on your government to unequivocally condemn these acts and to commit to non-participation in this conflict.

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/iraniancanadiancongress/pages/4660/attachments/original/1775737143/ICC_Letter_Louis_Pasteur_Institute_April_2026.pdf?1775737143

ICC president, Mona Ghassemi wrote to Avi Lewis, the new leader of NDP Canada to congratulate him on his recent election:

Mona Ghassemi, President of Iranian Canadian Congress has written the following letter to Prime Minister, Mark Carney, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand and Minister of National Defence, David McGuinty:

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/iraniancanadiancongress/pages/4594/attachments/original/1774975452/ICC_Letter_Mark_Carney_March_27_2026.pdf?1774975452