Monna Kashfi مانا كشفی

Journalist, media experimenter and professional jaded optimist. Supporting all the content magicians at WAMU.

[Barry Rosen @brosen1501]

I was the press attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran when I was taken hostage for 444 days by the zealous followers of Ayatollah Khomeini. During that time, the spokesperson for the hostage‑takers, Massoumeh Ebtekar—whom we called “Mary”—interrogated us with venom and publicly threatened to put us on “trial” and execute us on the spot.

Today, in a bitter irony, Ebtekar’s son, Issah Hashemi, lives comfortably in Los Angeles and works as an academic.

And now another example of this hypocrisy has been challenged. Dr. Fatemeh Larijani‑Ardeshir, daughter of Ali Larijani—the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a key figure in the violent crackdown on Iranian protesters—was just “dismissed” from Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute. This came only days after the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Ali Larijani and other architects of the Islamic Republic’s repression. Emory has not said whether her dismissal is tied to those sanctions.

For many in the Iranian diaspora—and for those of us who survived captivity—the presence of regime offspring living privileged lives in the U.S. has become a flashpoint for anger after decades of repression. We have watched the Islamic Republic murder thousands of protesters, extort grieving families for the bodies of their loved ones, and force them to bury their children in silence.

Meanwhile, the children of regime elites enjoy safety, freedom, and opportunity in the very country their parents condemn.

This contradiction is now at the center of a growing movement—one gaining momentum with each new revelation. Justice demands that we confront this hypocrisy.

[Monna Kashfi مانا كشفی @MonnaKashfi]

So excited that our #BeAWelcomer campaign is a finalist for this year's @shortyawards! You can vote for us in the #ShortyAwards Audience Honors category! Vote daily through April 30! https://t.co/JNpELeHfDT

[Monna Kashfi مانا كشفی @MonnaKashfi]

@JWPascale Congratulations, Jordan! It’s a strange but exciting transition. Huge loss for DC journalism but no doubt a step toward the next big professional milestone for you. It was a privilege to work with you and WMATA is lucky to have you!

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

American people, communities, and institutions have shown their capacity to welcome. Nearly 200,000 Americans have already stepped up to sponsor Ukrainians forced to flee. But many more still need our support.

Visit https://t.co/xQb1NwTJBP to learn how you too can help.

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

President of #Ukraine #Zelensky is about to address the American people in a joint session of Congress. As the war rages on, Americans like you can help Ukrainians who have been forced to flee. Register to sponsor today: https://t.co/xQb1NwC8df

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

Americans have welcomed more than 80,000 Afghan allies into our communities and people from all across the country have shown their support.

These families can't fully rebuild their lives if their legal status remains in limbo. It is time to pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct.

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

Afghan and Vet groups, including our partners, are leading a #AAAFireWatch to call for passage of the bi-partisan #AfghanAdjustmentAct https://t.co/S8n86w27jZ

[The Afghan-American Foundation @Afghan_American]

We are proud to be a @welcomeus partner and to have worked closely together on many of initiatives.

We are thrilled to welcome this deeply committed non-partisan organization and movement to join the #FireWatch at the Capitol for the #AfghanAdjustmentAct.

#ThisIsHome

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

CEO @NazaninSAsh announced a new commitment to engage 50K Americans in sponsoring refugees over the next 3 years.

Over the past year, Americans have shown they are ready and willing to welcome Afghan and Ukrainian newcomers into their communities.

@ClintonGlobal #CGI2022

[Monna Kashfi مانا كشفی @MonnaKashfi]

@allyschweitzer @NPR @wamu885 Congrats, Ally! So exciting!

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

The reward for positively impacting someone's life is immeasurable. For Asma, staying connected with Afghan Newcomers and hearing about their journey motivates her to continue the work of welcoming.

Learn how to be a welcomer → visit https://t.co/IHuEyNY5eC 🔗

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

Newcomers from Afghanistan and Ukraine fled with what belongings they could carry with them. There are a lot of essential items that families still need to settle into their new homes.

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

As we honor Ukraine’s National Flag Day, we are reminded that thousands of Ukrainians are waiting to find a sponsor.

Learn how to sponsor newcomers, donate essential goods, and much more at https://t.co/gwSHUOpY57

#BeAWelcomer

[Monna Kashfi مانا كشفی @MonnaKashfi]

@JanePeppler @PAniskoff @welcomeus @JanePeppler You don't need to know a specific Ukrainian to register as a sponsor on https://t.co/KgGPJqrbSw -- once you create a profile, you will be connected to Ukrainians looking for sponsors.

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

Thank you for your warm messages of welcome on #WorldRefugeeDay.

To all newcomers across the U.S.: welcome and we are here to help!

#BeAWelcomer and record a message of your own 👉🏽 https://t.co/rAXKYx8fWc

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

Encourage others to #BeAWelcomer by sharing your story of welcome.

Whether you are a newcomer or a sponsor, a volunteer that has supported newcomers or a good samaritan that has donated goods, your story makes a difference.

👉🏽 https://t.co/zPDXiBVG7U

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

Worldwide, more than 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

That is the highest number in history.

#BeAWelcomer and share a message of welcome for newcomers: https://t.co/rAXKYwQExC

[Welcome.US @welcomeus]

#WorldRefugeeDay is a moment to celebrate and support newcomers. Join President @BillClinton and honor our new neighbors by recording a message of welcome.

#BeAWelcomer 👉🏽 https://t.co/rwm3Zo1MXs

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

On World Refugee Day, we recognize the challenges that refugees face, honor their courage, and celebrate their contributions to our country.

If you would like to welcome refugees as your neighbors, join @WelcomeUS: https://t.co/6CDBXTZzEP