Prominent Kurdish scholar dies at 74

TORONTO, Canada (Kurdistan24) – A renowned Kurdish Professor passed away on Saturday in a hospital in Canada after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Professor Amir Hassanpour, 74, was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and passed away at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

Dr. Hassanpour was born in Mahabad in Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat) where he studied his undergrad, masters, and doctorate before moving to Canada in 1986. He later received his Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Hassanpour’s wife Shahrzad Mojab, a Professor at the University of Toronto, spoke to Kurdistan24 over the phone about her late husband’s legacy and commitment to social issues.

“He was an amazing scholar, totally dedicated to issues related to social justice,” she said. “He would explore horizons far beyond capacity.”

“He was kind, generous, honest; a friend and comrade,” Mojab continued.

She highlighted Dr. Hassanpour’s accomplishments and said he was “loved by everyone.”

The Kurdish professor was not only dedicated to social struggles in Kurdistan and the Middle East, but his work also extended to Latin America and beyond.

Dr. Hassanpour’s wife pointed to his desire to pass on his knowledge and experience to students.

“He passed away on a hospital bed surrounded by young students holding his hand,” Mojab explained, adding the moment was a perfect illustration of his legacy.

Dr. Hassanpour leaves behind one child, his 35-year-old son Salah Hassanpour.

Mojab told Kurdistan24 her son is currently studying a doctorate in film and cinema, a subject her late husband was passionate about.

A leftist thinker, Dr. Hassanpour was an Associate Professor at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto and was later awarded honorary Professor Emeritus for his significant contributions to his field of study.

In addition to countless contributions in academic journals and encyclopedias, he is the author of “Nationalism and Language in Kurdistan, 1918-1985.”

Editing by Ava Homa