01/12/14: January 12, 2014: Memorial Service for Sanaz Nezami
IHW Commemorates The Miracle of Saving Seven Lives!
Last Sunday, January 12, 2014
Sanaz was a 27 vibrant gifted woman who traveled 6,000 miles from Iran to Michigan to further her education. She spoke Persian, English, French, Spanish, Arabic and German and already earned a master's degree in French translations and a bachelor's of science in environmental health engineering from Iran. She came to Dollar Bay, Michigan to pursue a doctorate in environmental engineering at Michigan Tech University.
Nezami had recently married Nima Nassiri, an American born Iranian, and planned to begin classes in January after she arrived in Michigan in November, according to the AP. On Dec. 8, Nassiri allegedly assaulted her, and she was taken to Marquette General Hospital, where she died later on.
Her family in Iran watched helplessly through a webcam. They gave permission to for her heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small intestine to be donated to seven people in the United States.
"We wanted God to perform a miracle and bring Sanaz back to life," her sister, Sara Nezami, told the Associated Press. "But this is a miracle. Sanaz gave her life in order to give life."
Islamic House of Wisdom held a memorial service for Nezami Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014. IHW spiritual leader, Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi highlighted Sanaz's intellectual, academic and spiritual accomplishments and her legacy of saving lives through her death.
Reading a letter from her sister, Imam Elahi emphasized on Sanaz's faith and dedication to learning as Islam mandates. Sanaz had just started to translate the Quran from Arabic to English and French. She also was a true believer of interfaith through her involvement within the faith communities and through participating in community service.
Imam Elahi expressed the wishes of the Nezami family to meet with the recipients of their daughter's organs because they consider them as their new brothers and sisters.
Imam Elahi addressed domestic violence as a major social problem. He recited verses from the Quran, emphasizing the importance of family in Islam.
"The family should be the center of safety, security, love, loyalty, hope, harmony, respect, responsibility, patience, forgiveness, honesty and trust," he said. "We can't have a safe and healthy society if family lacks moral values."
Imam Elahi asked the Muslim community to help the Nezami family through this painful financially and spiritually.
Members of the Iranian and Middle Eastern community attended the memorial including local media, officials and the BBC World Service, which recorded the event as part of its series on the Nezami tragedy.
