The Iranian Cultural Association of Carleton University, a student group, has attracted interest after its president Ehsan Mohammadia solicited funds from Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, chief of staff to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The money was intended to fund a celebration of Persian New Year at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
In a letter displaying the logos of Carleton University and Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA), Mohammadia said he intended to invite a variety of dignitaries, including members of Canadian provincial and federal governments.
Mohammadia is the son of Hamid Mohammadia, previously Iran’s cultural counselor at the embassy prior to its closing last week. Both men declined to comment on the matter.
Carleton University spokesperson Steve Reid insisted the university has no policy about such transactions; each group is “accountable to its members and ultimately the CUSA.”
After plans to use the National Arts Centre fell through, the Iranian Cultural Association organized a smaller affair at the university in March.
