# Mehdi Bazargan

> Iranian politician and Islamic thinker (1907–1995)

**Wikidata**: [Q382369](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q382369)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehdi_Bazargan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mehdi-bazargan

## Summary
Mehdi Bazargan was an Iranian politician and Islamic thinker who served as the first Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran from 1979 to 1981. He was a prominent figure in Iran's Islamic Revolution and led the country during its formative post-revolutionary period.

## Biography
- Born: 1907
- Nationality: Iranian
- Education: Engineering degree from École Centrale Paris
- Known for: First Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Employer(s): University of Tehran, Freedom Movement of Iran
- Field(s): Politics, Islamic thought, Engineering

## Contributions
Mehdi Bazargan played a crucial role in Iran's Islamic Revolution as a leader of the Freedom Movement of Iran. He served as Prime Minister during the critical period following the revolution, helping to establish the new Islamic Republic's governmental structure. As an engineer by training, he also contributed to academic work at the University of Tehran.

## FAQs
Where did Mehdi Bazargan receive his education?
Mehdi Bazargan earned his engineering degree from École Centrale Paris, a prestigious French engineering grande école.

What was Mehdi Bazargan's role in the Islamic Revolution?
Bazargan was a key leader in the Freedom Movement of Iran and became the first Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic after the revolution succeeded in 1979.

What was Mehdi Bazargan's professional background?
He was trained as an engineer and worked as an academic at the University of Tehran before becoming involved in politics.

## Why They Matter
Mehdi Bazargan's significance lies in his role as the first Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, where he helped shape the new government's structure during a critical transition period. His leadership of the Freedom Movement of Iran and his position as an Islamic thinker made him a bridge between traditional Islamic values and modern governance. His engineering background also brought a practical, technical perspective to his political work.

## Notable For
- First Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979-1981)
- Leader of the Freedom Movement of Iran
- Engineering graduate of École Centrale Paris
- Islamic thinker and political theorist
- Academic at the University of Tehran

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Mehdi Bazargan was born in 1907 during the Qajar period in Iran. He received his higher education abroad, earning an engineering degree from École Centrale Paris, one of France's most prestigious engineering institutions. This Western education would later influence his approach to Islamic governance and modernization.

### Academic Career
Bazargan worked as an academic at the University of Tehran, Iran's premier institution of higher learning. His background in engineering and his academic position provided him with a platform to develop his ideas about the relationship between science, technology, and Islamic principles.

### Political Involvement
As a founding member and leader of the Freedom Movement of Iran, Bazargan became a prominent figure in the opposition to the Pahlavi regime. The Freedom Movement, established in 1961, advocated for democratic reforms within an Islamic framework. Bazargan's political philosophy emphasized the compatibility of Islam with modern democratic principles and scientific progress.

### Role in the Islamic Revolution
During the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Bazargan emerged as a key figure due to his reputation as a moderate Islamic intellectual and his organizational skills. He was appointed as the first Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, serving from February 1979 until November 1981. His government faced the enormous challenge of establishing new governmental institutions while dealing with internal political tensions and the Iran-Iraq War.

### Political Philosophy
Bazargan's political thought represented an attempt to reconcile Islamic principles with modern governance and scientific progress. He advocated for a form of Islamic democracy that respected both religious values and individual rights. His background as both an engineer and an Islamic scholar allowed him to approach political problems with a unique combination of technical and religious perspectives.

### Legacy
Mehdi Bazargan's legacy is complex. As the first Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic, he helped establish the basic framework of the new government. His moderate Islamic approach and emphasis on democratic principles within an Islamic context influenced subsequent generations of Iranian reformists. However, his tenure was marked by significant challenges, including the US Embassy hostage crisis and growing tensions with more radical revolutionary factions, which ultimately led to his resignation in 1981.

### Later Years
After leaving office, Bazargan continued to be involved in political discourse in Iran, though his influence waned as more radical elements gained power. He remained a respected figure among moderate Islamists and reformists until his death in 1995.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. [Source](http://setaresobh.ir/fa/print/main/42049)
4. [Source](https://www.asjp.cerist.dz/en/article/234478)
5. CiNii Research
6. Library of Congress Authorities
7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
8. Encyclopædia Universalis
9. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
10. BnF authorities
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12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. IdRef