Monday, February 6, 2023
  • English
  • Français
  • فارسی
  • عربى
PODCASTS
NCRI Women Committee
  • Home
  • News
    • Women’s News
    • Articles
    • Statements
  • Publications
    • Monthlies
    • Documents
    • Reference Library
  • About Us
    • Women’s Committee of Iran NCRI
    • Gender Equality
    • Women’s Platform
  • Maryam Rajavi
    • Biography
    • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
    • Ten Point Plan for Iran
    • Ten Point Plan for Women
  • Vanguards
    • Fallen for Freedom
    • Heroines in Chain
    • Women of Iranian Resistance
    • Famous Women
    • Women in History
  • Events
    • IWD Conferences
    • IWD Speeches
    • Activities
    • Solidarity
  • Videos
    • Events
    • International Solidarity
    • International Women’s Day
    • NCRI Women’s Committee Presentations
    • Other Activities in Iran
    • Violence Against Women in Iran
    • Women in Iran Protests, Uprising
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
NCRI Women Committee
  • Home
  • News
    • Women’s News
    • Articles
    • Statements
  • Publications
    • Monthlies
    • Documents
    • Reference Library
  • About Us
    • Women’s Committee of Iran NCRI
    • Gender Equality
    • Women’s Platform
  • Maryam Rajavi
    • Biography
    • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
    • Ten Point Plan for Iran
    • Ten Point Plan for Women
  • Vanguards
    • Fallen for Freedom
    • Heroines in Chain
    • Women of Iranian Resistance
    • Famous Women
    • Women in History
  • Events
    • IWD Conferences
    • IWD Speeches
    • Activities
    • Solidarity
  • Videos
    • Events
    • International Solidarity
    • International Women’s Day
    • NCRI Women’s Committee Presentations
    • Other Activities in Iran
    • Violence Against Women in Iran
    • Women in Iran Protests, Uprising
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
NCRI Women Committee
No Result
View All Result
Home The Fallen for Freedom
Dr. Massoumeh Karimian massacred in 1988

Dr. Massoumeh Karimian

Dr. Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz)

August 10, 2022
in The Fallen for Freedom
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Dr. Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz) massacred in 1988

They called her Shurangiz; sometimes, they called her Shuri. She was a legend of resistance. Shurangiz demonstrated enthusiasm, selflessness, compassion, kindness, respect, resistance, boldness, courage, hope, and faith in those around her wherever she was. This honorable doctor was one of the legends of resistance and stability in Khomeini’s prisons.

From Evin and Ghezel Hesar prisons to the seven years of non-stop torture and imprisonment, Dr. Massoumeh Karimian did not lose her faith. She also became more determined, assertive, and more robust in the path of struggle for freedom.

Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz), a selfless physician

Dr. Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz) was born in 1958. After finishing high school, she studied in Europe and obtained her doctorate in physiotherapy.

She was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in 1981 and was tortured from the start of her detention.

The prison guards always held a grudge against her staunch resistance and high spirit and quickly targeted her. For instance, if they wanted to punish any prisoner, Shurangiz was always one of them.

She participated in all the protests and hunger strikes.

As an orthopedic doctor, she treated many prisoners who had physical problems due to torture with the limited equipment she had in prison.

One of the former prisoners wrote about Dr. Massoumeh Karimian in her memoirs: “In 1984, I had arthritis in my neck, and Shurangiz made a good neck support for me by using a bleach can and a small amount of fabric, and after being under her care for a while, my neck pain decreased, and I was pain-free for a long time.”

Resistance in the “cage”

One of Shurangiz’s most courageous forms of resistance was when she was in Ghezel Hesar Prison under severe torture.

From 1983 to 1984, she was held in a cage in Unit 1 of Ghezel Hesar Prison.

Massoumeh Joshaghani, imprisoned for many years in the 1980s, wrote “Shurangiz,” a book commemorating her friend and colleague, Dr. Massoumeh Karimian. Massoumeh Joshaghani wrote, “Shurangiz finished her medical training in Britain.

“She was tall and had long, thick hair and a lovely face. The first time I saw her was in the 1980s when she came to our house for a meeting with several PMOI/MEK supporters. I welcomed them with some tea but did not participate in their discussion.

“After that, I didn’t see her until in prison, Ward 240. She had the same face, kind and determined, but with short hair and a body injured in prison under various forms of torture. She could not bend one of her arms and had to drag one of her legs when walking. The reason was that she had been suspended by her wrists tied behind her back. This practice (called Qappani in Farsi) caused the tendons in her hands and feet to tear. She had also been beaten with a wire cable.

“Despite these conditions, I could see that she was helping the other tortured prisoners. Very brave, determined, and kind. As she was passing by, she greeted everyone very quietly. I was not in the same ward as her in Evin, but sometimes I saw her in the corridor. She didn’t openly acknowledge me because she didn’t want the torturers to target me.

“I didn’t hear about her until I was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Ward 8. She kissed and welcomed me with her extraordinary kindness. She regularly cared for the prisoners and helped the old and sick mothers there. She also bathed them and washed their clothes. The prisoners in the ward loved her immensely, and all respected her. She never wanted anything for herself and wanted others to be the first to receive blankets, clothes, and small portions of food. I had rarely seen anyone so devoted and pious.

“At that time, because Ward 8 was for PMOI/MEK members, they all talked about political opinions. Shurangiz had deep insights; therefore, many of the prisoners were very motivated by her.

“She was so respected that even when Haj Davoud, one of the most brutal torturers, would come to the ward, he would go past her and say, ‘Oh, Ms. Doctor is still here.’

“She used her medical experience to treat others.

“She talked about the surahs (chapters) of the Quran with a straightforward and persuasive interpretation. Sometimes she made handicrafts, such as stone carving or embroidery, all of which had a political meaning. Once, she made an exquisite embroidery for me bearing a surah of the Quran called Al-Asr (meaning The Epoch).

She took the fabric from a dress piece and made the embroidery threads from a towel. Some nights, she read poems to me that had been written in prison.”

A doctor who hid her own injuries

Another prisoner writes about Shurangiz in her memoirs: “Due to the many tortures, Shurangiz limped and could not walk properly. She never took off her socks because her feet were injured, and she did not want anyone to see them.

“After Massoumeh came out of the cage, they took her to the quarantine ward for several months and brought her to the general ward.

“One day, I saw her while she was taking a bath. I was shocked because months after coming out of the cage, there were still bruises from the brutal kicks of Haj Davoud’s boots on her back. These bruises looked so fresh and new that they looked like they were from that same day.”

Maryam Mohammadi Bahmanabadi had also been tortured in a cage. She was executed during the 1988 massacre.

Maryam said about Shurangiz: “Every time Haj Davoud came to Unit 1, where we were kept in the cages, all our muscles would automatically react because he would suddenly kick our heads and bodies with his boots. Of course, from the back, and since we were blindfolded and sitting facing the wall, we didn’t know who was hitting. From this, I could tell that the black bruises on Shurangiz’s back were the places where the boot had struck.”

Dr. Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz)
From left, Massoumeh Karimian and Mehri Karimian, both executed during the 1988 massacre in Iran

Finally, after seven years of resistance in prison and suffering torture, this generous and determined doctor was executed by firing squad. She was among the first group of female prisoners in ward 3 of Evin Prison who were massacred in 1988.

Shurangiz’s younger sister, Mehri Karimian, was also executed in the 1988 massacre.

The Khomeini regime announced that Dr. Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz) had been executed on November 30, 1988, to cover up the massacre.

Shurangiz was executed, but her cause, passion for struggle, and desire for freedom will remain alive and eternal in the hearts of Iranian women and youth.  

Tags: Generation EqualityWomen's Leadership
ShareTweetPinShare

Related Posts

A female member of Resistance Units tells of her daily struggle for freedom

December 4, 2022
A female member of Resistance Units tells of her daily struggle for freedom

The following article, written by Mina Lotfi, a female member of Resistance Units inside Iran, was published by the British Express. Day of the ayatollahs is over, quietly...

Read more

Women have been the main target of the Iranian regime — now they’re leading the revolution to bring it down

November 28, 2022
Women have been the main target of the Iranian regime — now they’re leading the revolution to bring it down

The New York Post published an article by Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, on November 27, 2022. The full text of...

Read more

Kurds put up courageous resistance against IRGC’s military attack 

November 21, 2022
Kurds put up courageous resistance against IRGC's military attack

Monday, November 21, 2022, on Day 67 of the Iran uprising, Kurdish cities have put up courageous resistance against the regime's attacks despite the IRGC's massive military clampdown....

Read more

Young women at the forefront attest to the progressive nature of Iran protests

November 13, 2022
Young women at the forefront attest to the progressive nature of Iran protests

Young women at the forefront attest to the progressive nature of Iran protests On the anniversary of the November 2019 uprising, members of the Iranian Resistance at Ashraf...

Read more

Metro talks to Resistance Unit girl in Iran

November 11, 2022
Metro talks to Resistance Unit girl in Iran

The UK based Metro.co.uk published on Thursday, November 10, a report by Kimberly Bond, containing an interview with one of the girls, a member of Resistance Units in...

Read more
Next Post
A glance at the conditions of women in Iranian prisons Vakilabad Prison

A mother and daughter were tied to the bed for 24 hours in Vakilabad Prison

Documents

The list of women and girls killed by Iranian security forces during the 2022 uprising

The list of women and girls killed by Iranian security forces during the Iran uprising

November 25, 2022

The list of women and girls killed by Iranian security forces during the Iran uprising Women are leading a revolution...

Statement to support the Iranian women’s struggle for freedom and equality

Sign to support the Iranian women’s struggle for freedom and equality

October 10, 2022

The NCRI Women's Committee urges all human rights defenders, women's rights organizations and advocates to sign this statement to support...

executions of women - women executed in Iran

Iran regime, the world record holder in executions of women

October 10, 2022

List of executions of women in Iran since 2007 List of women executedDownload Iran regime is the world’s record holder...

Monthlies

January 2023 Report - Female journalists detained in Iran
Monthlies

January 2023 Report – Female journalists detained in Iran

February 2, 2023
Spreading false narratives to cover up crime
Monthlies

Monthly Report December 2022 – Spreading false narratives to cover up crime

January 4, 2023
violence
Monthlies

Monthly November 2022 – Systematic violence against women in Iran

December 5, 2022
Monthly October 2022 – Stop arrest and torture of Iranian women
Monthlies

Monthly October 2022 – Stop arrest and torture of Iranian women

November 6, 2022

Articles

A week after the earthquake, Khoy residents remain stranded

Khoy residents remain stranded a week after the earthquake

February 3, 2023

At least 3 died, and more than 1075 were injured; security forces clamped down on protests over the government's mismanagement...

Charges of Armita Abbasi examined

Charges of Armita Abbasi examined in first court session

January 30, 2023

The first court hearing on the charges of Armita Abbasi The court hearing examining the charges of Armita Abbasi was...

Zeynab Molaei Rad, the mother of Kian Pirfalak, suspended from her job

Zeynab Molaei Rad, the mother of Kian Pirfalak, suspended from her job

January 25, 2023

Zeynab Molaei Rad suspended from her job Zeynab Molaei Rad has been banned from teaching until further notice. Zeynab Molaei...

The Fallen for Freedom

Fatemeh Amini_EN
The Fallen for Freedom

Fatemeh Amini, symbol of perseverance and steadfastness

August 15, 2022
Fariba Dashti
The Fallen for Freedom

Fariba Dashti

August 13, 2022
Dr. Massoumeh Karimian massacred in 1988
The Fallen for Freedom

Dr. Massoumeh Karimian (Shurangiz)

August 10, 2022
Nastaran Hedayat Firouzabadi
The Fallen for Freedom

Nastaran Hedayat Firouzabadi

July 26, 2022

ABOUT US

NCRI Women Committee

We work extensively with Iranian women outside the country and maintain a permanent contact with women inside Iran. The Women’s Committee is actively involved with many women’s rights organizations and NGO’s and the Iranian diaspora.
The committee is a major source of much of the information received from inside Iran with regards to women. Attending UN Human Rights Council meetings and other international or regional conferences on women’s issues and engaging in a relentless battle against the Iranian regime’s misogyny are part of the activities of members and associates of the committee.

CATEGORIES

  • Activities
  • Articles
  • Documents
  • Events
  • Famous Women
  • Heroines in Chain
  • International Solidarity
  • International Women's Day
  • IWD Conferences
  • IWD Speeches
  • Maryam Rajavi
  • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
  • Monthlies
  • NCRI Women's Committee Presentations
  • Other Activities in Iran
  • Podcast
  • Reference Library
  • Solidarity
  • Statements
  • The Fallen for Freedom
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos
  • Violence Against Women in Iran
  • Women in History
  • Women in Iran Protests, Uprising
  • Women of Iranian Resistance
  • Women's News

BROWSE BY TAG

Child marriage coronavirus education execution forced hijab Gender Gap Generation Equality Honor killings Iran Teachers Maryam Akbari Monfared Nurses Poverty Prisoners Protests rural women Saba Kord Afshari The girl child Violence against women Women's Leadership Women Heads of Household Zeinab Jalalian

The copyright of all the material published on this website has been registered under © 2016 the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. To obtain permission to copy, redistribute or publish the material published on this website, you should write to the NCRI Women’s Committee. Please include the link of the original article on our website, women.ncr-iran.org.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Women’s News
    • Articles
    • Statements
  • Publications
    • Monthlies
    • Documents
    • Reference Library
  • About Us
    • The NCRI Women’s Committee
    • Gender Equality
    • Women’s Platform
  • Maryam Rajavi
    • Maryam Rajavi Speeches
    • Ten Point Plan for Iran
    • Ten Point Plan for Women
  • Vanguards
    • The Fallen for Freedom
    • Heroines in Chain
    • Women of Iranian Resistance
    • Famous Women
    • Women in History
  • Events
    • IWD Conferences
    • Activities
    • IWD Speeches
    • Solidarity
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • فارسی
  • عربی
  • Français

The copyright of all the material published on this website has been registered under © 2016 the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. To obtain permission to copy, redistribute or publish the material published on this website, you should write to the NCRI Women’s Committee. Please include the link of the original article on our website, women.ncr-iran.org.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist