Canadian Professor Released from Iran, Hoodfar, Reaches Home in Montreal

Concordia University Professor, Homa Hoodfar, has finally reached Montreal on Thursday morning after spending 112 days in Iran’s notorious Evin prison. Welcomed by friends, family and other supporters, Hoodfar mentioned at the Trudeau Airport that “I want to say it’s wonderful to be home,” adding that “I’ve had a bitter seven months, and the detention has left me weak and tired.”

In her remarks, Hoodfar extended her gratitude to the Trudeau government and the Omani government for helping secure her release, and extending their generous hospitality since Monday to help her recover. Moreover, Hoodfar thanked students and colleagues, “and especially civil society, human rights (advocates) and feminists who campaigned and mobilized for my freedom.” Speaking about her release, Hoodfar stated that “I didn’t feel I would be released until I was on the jet. In Iran, nothing is complete until it is complete.”

Accompanied by her niece Amanda Ghahremani, Hoodfar declined to discuss how she was treated in the Iranian prison. However, she did reply to a question about what was the hardest part of her detention as she confessed that the most difficult part of her detention was not being able to communicate with loved ones even when she knew that they’d be very worried. She explained that “when I was detained in June, not knowing what was happening with my friends, not being able to communicated with anyone … knowing that my family was very worried.”