I have a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Sharif Technical University in Tehran.
I have studied informatics at the Institute National Polytechnic of Grenoble.
I have a Diploma in Interior Decoration and Design from Stanford Institute in Canada.
I am a licensed Realtor in Canada.
I am a visual artist working in painting and sculpture.
I immigrated to Canada from Iran in 1995. I have been running my own small
business from 1996 to present.
I was part of the group that created the ICC, the mission being to help Iranian
Canadians know their rights in Canada and improve them. Further, to help
newcomers settle in Canada and to amplify the voice of Iranian Canadians in the
sociopolitical landscape in Canada.
I put my effort to find a common ground in this divisive and uncertain
atmosphere that destabilized and drained our community.
I would be very pleased to continue these efforts as member of ICC board of directors.

Mona Ghassemi is a returning candidate for the ICC Board of Directors, having served two years as Vice President, during which they were instrumental in representing ICC to Canada’s Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference. Mona has also been key in researching and preparing many of ICC’s statements in defence of democratic human rights in Canada in the context of the ongoing genocide in Palestine.  

Currently employed in the software industry, Mona received a Master’s of Cultural Anthropology from Concordia University for ethnographic thesis work regarding gender issues within the Iranian-Canadian community. Living in Montreal since the age of two, Mona has been actively involved in the Iranian community there for many years.

Mona spent two years on the Board of Directors of QPIRG Concordia, gaining experience in consensus-based decision-making. Their experience as a peer support volunteer at the Centre for Gender Advocacy, including a one-year training period in active listening and workshops on topics such as racism and indigenous solidarity, increased their perspective and empathy. Mona has also volunteered as the Montreal host for #BecauseWeveRead, an international book club started by Iranian-American activist Hoda Katebi, which included outreach to the Iranian-Canadian community. Mona has also had several media appearances where they have taken a position against war and foreign influence in Iran.

Mona is passionate about anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia, dialogue and bridge-building within the community, and solidarity with other racialized and marginalized groups in Canada.  

.

I am the founder of Diginesstor Consulting Corp., a digital marketing agency based in British Columbia and registered since 2021. I hold an MBA degree from the University Canada West (UCW) and have completed a specialized program in Digital Marketing Strategy from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Through my work, I have been helping Canadian businesses grow, both online and in traditional markets, by applying strategic marketing, technology, and data-driven insights.

Before founding my company, I worked as a Network Engineer at an IT company in Halifax, Nova Scotia, after moving to Canada in 2017. Prior to immigrating, I had over 10 years of professional experience in the banking industry in Iran, where I developed a deep understanding of finance, operations, and customer service.

My diverse background in banking, IT, and business development has equipped me with a well-rounded perspective and the ability to connect with a wide range of individuals and communities.

My core values are rooted in peace, equity, and community development. I strongly believe in non-military, diplomatic solutions to conflicts—particularly in the Middle East—and oppose any form of violence or occupation. I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian crises taking place, and I believe that Canada's role should be one of peacebuilding, mediation, and human rights advocacy, not military involvement.

As an immigrant and a proud member of the Iranian-Canadian community, I am committed to supporting fellow newcomers, especially Iranian immigrants, in adapting to life in Canada, accessing resources, and building successful careers and businesses. I believe the ICC can play a significant role in creating platforms for dialogue, inclusion, education, and community empowerment.

I believe that the ICC, as a Canadian non-partisan civic organization, must remain independent of political affiliations both in Iran and in Canada. Its primary mission should be to represent the interests of Iranian Canadians, promote civic engagement, and create a safe and respectful environment for open and constructive dialogue among our diverse community.

Daniel Bagheri, is a PhD candidate at the University of Kansas and a Canadian Human Rights advisor with Cuso International. He has been volunteering and working internationally for the better part of the past 7 years. Through his field work, Daniel has developed connections with tribal indigenous communities in Western Asia (Iran), Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras) and North America (Canada).  His work focuses on the application of Indigenous Peoples Rights/Human Rights discourses, and it impact in shaping social movements and questions of identity. 

Daniel has been an active member of the Iranian Canadian community. He has served as the president of the Iranian Canadian Association at the University of Guelph (2007-2012) and is currently a member of the Iranian Canadian Association of Immigration consultants. By joining the ICC Daniel aims to address the rising tensions within the Iranian Canadian community concerning issues of islamophobia, systematic discrimination, and political uncertainties abroad and at home.

من منیژه بابایی، متولد ایران و هم اکنون مقیم استان انتاریوی کانادا هستم. مدرک کارشناسیِ رشته "دبیری فیزیک" را در ایران گرفته ام و بعد از فارغ التحصیلی بعنوان معلم مشغول به کار شدم.
در سال ۲۰۱۵ به همراه خانواده به کانادا، استان مانیتوبا مهاجرت کردم و پس از طی دوره های تکمیلی در دانشگاه، بعنوان معلم جانشین در مدارس شهر وینیپگ مشغول بکار شدم.
در راستای کمک به کودکان و نوجوانان پناهجو، داوطبانه در موسسه IRCOM بعنوان معلم در کلاسهای After School Program  همکاری می کردم.
پس از مهاجرت دوم و نقل مکان به استان انتاریو، خانه را گوشه امن خود یافتم و مسئولیت مادری و همسری را در الویت قرار دادم. در حال حاضر آشپزی، شیرینی پزی، خیاطی، بافتنی، مطالعه و نوشتن نه تنها جزو علاقمندی هایم هستند بلکه جز لاینفک زندگی ام شده اند.

در دنیایی که جنگ، اشغال، نسل کشی، تحریم، نژادپرستی و اسلام‌هراسی عادیسازی می شود وظیفه خود می دانم در کنار خانه داری، در فعالیت های ضد جنگ و نسل کشی شرکت کنم تا شاید صدای بیصدایان در این دنیای پر از هیاهو باشم.

Ahead of the Canada Federal Election 2025, Dr. Saideh Khadir, President of Iranian Canadian Congress has sent letters to all political parties asking for clarification on their policies. 

You can see here the letter sent to the Green Party of Canada and The Green Party letter responding to ICC's questions. 

As communicated previously with you, the next ICC annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on May 4 from 1 PM ET (10 AM PT) through a videoconferencing platform. Please note that only ICC members who have joined/renewed their membership by April 25, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET will be entitled to attend the upcoming AGM and vote in the election.  

Here, we like to provide the following updates on the upcoming ICC election and AGM: 

• We would like to correct the nomination deadline from April 10, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET to April 17, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET. 
• We would like to ask members who unsubscribed from emails to join our mailing list in order to get the AGM link and AGM updates. 
• All minutes of the Board of Directors meetings are updated and you can see them on our website. 

For any membership questions, you may contact [email protected]. 

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. 

Iranian Canadian Congress

The ICC board of directors is pleased to announce that the next ICC annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on May 4 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 7 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 April 17, 2025, 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 April 25, 2025, 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 seven 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 April 25th. Election results will be announced at the AGM.  
• 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. Reza Namdari. 

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. 

Defending Free Speech and Standing Against Repression

We of the Iranian Canadian Congress value democracy and freedom of expression. Our mandate is “advocating  peace, dialogue, and collaboration between Canada and other nations” and “promoting and strengthening the cross-cultural harmony to advance tolerance, understanding, and goodwill among all segments of the multicultural Canadian society.”  

We have repeatedly expressed concern with the erosion of such fundamental rights in the current political climate. We strongly condemn the recent detention of author and political activist Yves Engler after spurious charges were brought against him, violating his freedom of speech and expression. Yves was targeted due to his relentless work in protesting the ongoing genocide in Palestine.  Meanwhile, according to The Lancet, the killing of over 100,000 people in Palestine continue unabated, and those who dare to resist this injustice face political repression.  

Yves was detained for five days in late February 2025, denied sufficient access to his lawyer, and subjected to conditions intended to silence him—including explicitly being forbidden to speak about his treatment at the hands of the police. Thanks to relentless pressure from his progressive community, Yves was finally released. His courage in standing against genocide while defending liberty and freedom of expression deserves our unwavering solidarity. 

The tactic used against Yves has been applied consistently to suppress dissent and stifle those who stand against war crimes and oppression. Furthermore, the courts and legal system have been weaponized against democratic processes on university campuses. For example, an injunction was recently placed against the Student Society of McGill University after student members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a  Policy Against Genocide in Palestine.  More recently, a lawsuit  was initiated contesting the SSMU Policy Against Antisemitism, which distinguished antisemitism from criticism of Israel and Zionism. The lawsuits came on the heels of the university having threatened to withhold funding from the university organization due to its association with  pro-Palestinian student clubs.  
 
While similar lawsuits have been dismissed due to the flimsy basis of accusations, the continued onslaught against activists brings about a chilling effect. Vocal opponents of genocide such as Yves become cautionary examples for those who would dare speak out. We worry, with legislation such as Bill C-70, that events like this become more common.  
 
We will not be silent in the face of injustice and stand with all those who refuse to be intimidated in their pursuit of truth.

We demand the immediate retraction of the baseless charges against Yves and all those who speak truth to power.

8 Mars 2025: 

بیانیه کارگروه زنان کنگره ایرانیان کانادا به مناسبت روز جهانی زن

بیانیه کارگروه زنان کنگره ایرانیان کانادا به مناسبت روز جهانی زن - Iranian Canadian Congress

25 November 2024: 

Statement on the International Day of Children’s Rights and the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Statement on the International Day of Children’s Rights and the Elimination of Violence Against Women - Iranian Canadian Congress

9 May 2023: 

ICC statement condemning harassment of women in the work place

ICC statement condemning harassment of women in the work place - Iranian Canadian Congress

28 September 2022:

Statement on the recent Iran protests September 2022

Statement on the recent Iran protests September 2022 - Iranian Canadian Congress

20 September 2022:

Statement on horrific death of Mahsa Amini

Statement on horrific death of Mahsa Amini - Iranian Canadian Congress

8 March 2021: 

ICC’s Art Project 1400: New Beginnings

https://www.iccongress.ca/new-beginnings

8 March 2021:

1400 Art Project - Fatemeh Sereshti

1400 Art Project - Fatemeh Sereshti - Iranian Canadian Congress

8 March 2016:

International Women's Day

International Women's Day - ICC Test Website

8 March 2015:

Happy Women's Day

Happy Women's Day - ICC Test Website