Mohammad Khatami

Mohammad Khatami is a scholar and politician born in Iran. He served as President of Iran from August 2, 1997, until he was succeeded by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in August 2, 2005. Recently, he has become a spokesman for reformist candidates in the upcoming Iran Election 2008.

Fast Facts

1. Born September 29, 1943, in Ardakan, Iran
2. Assumed Office: August 2, 1997
3. Preceded by: Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
4. Left Office: August 2, 2005
5. Succeeded by: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
6. Party: Association of Combatant Clerics
7. Alma Maters: Isfahan University and Tehran University
8. Religion: Shia Islam
9. Spouse: Zahra Eshraghi
10. Has two daughters and one son
11. Fluent in Persian, Arabic
12. Can speak some English and German

Key Dates

1. May 23, 1997: Elected president
2. June 8, 2001: Re-elected
3. September 2, 2005: Appointed member of the Alliance of Civilizations
4. September 28, 2005: Retired
5. January 30, 2006: Officially inaugurates International Center of Dialogue Among Civilizations

Positions Held

• • Representative, The Iranian Parliament
  • Supervisor, Kayhan Institute
  • Minister, Culture and Islamic Guidance
  • Head, National Library of Iran
  • Member, Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution

Dialogue Among Civilizations

Khatami countered Samuel Huntington's book Clash of Civilizations with the Dialogue Among Civilizations, which was embraced by many international organizations, including the United Nations.

Run For Presidency

His campaign for president highlighted the issues of the rule of law, supporting democracy and more expansive inclusion of all citizens in the political process.

Criticisms

1. Was criticized for shaking hands with two female participants at a conference in Italy, in 2007.¹
2. Was criticized during his presidency for failing to uphold reformist policies.²

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