Miras

Miras Documentary Project

The Miras project is committed to advancing the understanding of the Iranian diaspora through the documentation and preservation of their cultural, academic, and social legacies. In this endeavor, we are undertaking a groundbreaking documentary that examines the historical and cultural evolution of Iranians at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, an institution integral to the study and history of the Iranian diaspora.
 
This documentary aims to chronicle the presence of Iranians at Illinois since 1907, exploring their contributions to academia, cultural production, and community building. It will illuminate key moments in the development of Iranian student organizations and their role in fostering cross-cultural exchange and intellectual growth. By capturing the narratives of individuals and collective movements, the project seeks to provide a comprehensive account of the impact of the Iranian community on one of the most esteemed institutions in the United States.

 

If you have information, stories, photos, questions, video footage, or other material that could enrich this project, please contact us at info@iranianheritage.org.

 

Project Sponsors

  • Dr. Emad Tajkhorshid
  • Dr. Hadi Salehi Esfahani
  • Center for South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (CSAMES)
  • Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
  • Dr. Asef Bayat
  • Dr. Mohammad Babadoost
  • Mehrdad Mohammadi
Donate to Project

 This initiative is driven entirely by our dedicated student volunteers, not affiliated with any thesis or research project.

 

All donors will be acknowledged in the documentary and archived at the University of Illinois Library. 

(Please send us an email after your donation.)

First Draft of the Project

(Published 2023)

Over time, Iranian students have traveled far and wide to fulfill their academic dreams, with many finding a home within the esteemed University of Illinois. Since the early days of the Daily Illini in 1907, which documented the presence of a determined student from Persia, the legacy of Iranian students at UIUC has been etched in history, for more than a century, Iranian students have made an indelible mark on this prestigious institution, becoming an integral part of education, research and campus life.

Iranian student organizations (Started from November 16th, 1961) may have had different names, but they all shared a common goal:

“TO UNITE THE IRANIAN COMMUNITY ON CAMPUS AND SHOWCASE THE RICHNESS OF IRANIAN CULTURE.”

Responsive Iframe Example
DownloadThe Booklet Here