Mohammad-Ali Jamalzadeh

Mohammad-Ali Jamālzādeh Esfahani () (January 13, 1892 (?), Isfahan, Iran – November 7, 1997, Geneva, Switzerland) , was one of the most prominent writers of Iran in the 20th century, best known for his unique style of humour. In view of his vast influence over Persian short-story writing, he is often referred to as the father of this genre in Iran.

Biography

Sayyed Mohammad-Ali Jamalzadeh,Jamalzadeh is also transliterated Jamalzada, Jamal-zadeh, or Jamalzadah. Further, Sayyed (a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) is a variant spelling of Sayyid. the founder of the Persian short-story genre, was born in Esfahan into a middle-class family. The date of his birth is uncertain; years between 1892 to 1896 have been mentioned and, by the end of his life, even he himself was not certain of the actual year. The year 1895 has traditionally been taken as the year of his birth.



Jamalzadeh's father, Sayyed Jamal ad-Din Esfahani, was a progressive mullah and preacher whobecame a constitutional revolutionary, delivering raging sermons which inspired his son but cost him his life; he was executed in 1908 on the order of Mohammad-Ali Shah Qajar who considered him among the most dangerous of his enemies. "As to the ulama in the constitutional revolution, there were varying degrees of support for a constitution and of awareness of its implications. Among the popular preachers there were a number in the tradition of Afghani — men brought up with a...
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