Parviz Ravani, son of Ardeshir, was born on September 6, 1952 (15 Shahrivar 1331) in Sharifabad, Ardakan, Yazd. He completed his elementary education at Jamshidi School in Sharifabad and Ma’ghool School in Tehran. Parviz then attended Firooz Bahram High School in Tehran and graduated in 1971 (1350). Continuing his education, he was admitted to the National University of Iran, where he earned a master’s degree in architectural engineering and urban planning in 1979 (1358).
Social Activities
From his teenage years and during his university life, Parviz actively engaged in social activities. Besides being a member and secretary of the Zoroastrian Students’ Association, he also collaborated with the Sharifabad Zoroastrian Association in Tehran (ASHA).
During his student years before 1978 (1357), he taught mathematics in Tehran high schools, including Anushiravan Dadgar and Firooz Bahram High Schools, becoming recognized as one of the best math teachers in Tehran.
Professional Career
Parviz Ravani began his professional career in 1977 (1356) at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, serving as the supervisor of building inspections and engineering services until 1979 (1358). He then transferred to the Tehran Municipality, where he held positions such as Urban Planning Officer, Head of Map Control for District 5, and Director of Permit Issuance for Districts 5 and 12. He resigned in mid-1983 (1362).
Following his resignation, Parviz established the construction company Houmat, where he took on the role of managing director.
Family
In 1986 (1365), Engineer Parviz Ravani married Dr. Farnaz Ardeshiri, the daughter of Dr. Mahyar Ardeshiri, a prominent activist in the Zoroastrian community. They had two children: Rayika and the late Mahyar.
Representation of Zoroastrians
During the fourth parliamentary elections, the results for the Zoroastrian constituency were annulled, postponing the selection of their representative to a midterm election.
In this critical period, Parviz Ravani entered politics by participating in the June 1994 (Khordad 1373) midterm election for the fourth parliamentary term. He was elected as the Zoroastrians’ representative with 5,488 votes out of 8,701 total votes. He was re-elected in March 1996 (Esfand 1374) for the fifth parliamentary term, securing 4,595 votes out of 8,604 total votes cast.
In the fourth term, Parviz served as a member of the Administrative and Employment Affairs Commission, and in the fifth term, he was part of the Transportation and Construction Commission.
Parliamentary Activities
- The most significant actions and achievements of Engineer Parviz Ravani during his time as the Zoroastrian representative in the Iranian Parliament include:
- Proposing a bill to mandate seatbelt use in cars and helmet use for motorcyclists, which was approved by the Transportation and Construction Commission and later passed in the parliamentary session.
- Securing the ownership rights of Zoroastrians over Rostam Bagh.
- Efforts to protect Zoroastrians’ ownership of the Zoroastrian cemetery in Qasr-e Firouzeh.
- Resolving the interference of the Yazd Education Department with Dinyari School.
- Advocating to eliminate discrimination against religious minorities in employment matters.
- Restoring the original name of Anushiravan Dadgar High School, which had been renamed “Pendare Nik” after the Revolution, in accordance with the will of its founder.
- Excluding the lands of Adorian Bozorg in Vanak, Tehran, and the Markar lands in Yazd from the Tehran municipality’s green space plan.
- Protesting against the inequality in blood money (diyah) laws between Muslims and non-Muslims.
- Objecting to the harassment of a bus carrying American tourists.
- Condemning a fatwa that permitted the killing of individuals accused of insulting Islamic figures without a court trial, publishing his objection in a widely circulated newspaper.
- Hosting the 6th World Zoroastrian Congress, which took place in Tehran from June 19 to 22, 1996 (30 Khordad to 2 Tir 1375). A notable highlight of the congress was the participation of Dr. Farhang Mehr. This event was held during the presidency of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Migration to Canada
In late March 2000 (Esfand 1378), shortly before the conclusion of the fifth parliamentary term, Parviz Ravani took a leave of absence from the parliament and migrated to Canada. This decision was made to support his wife’s pursuit of a pediatric specialization at a Canadian university.
In Canada, he resumed his primary profession, working in construction and overseeing building projects.
May his memory be cherished.
