Book uncovering lost story of enslaved African in Iran earns global recognition The once untold life story of Mahboob Qirvanian — a former African slave in Iran during the Ottoman Empire — is being heard around the world thanks to the work of Behnaz Mirzai, Professor of History a...

News on my book award

brocku.ca/brock-news/2...

The Life of an Enslaved African in the Ottoman Empire and Iran has been named a Finalist for the 2026 PROSE Awards in the World History category, awarded by the Association of American Publishers.

Congratulations, @behnazmirzai.bsky.social!

@americanpublish.bsky.social #WorldHistory

Honored my book "The Life of an Enslaved African in the Ottoman Empire and Iran" has been selected as a Finalist in the World History Category for the 2026 PROSE Awards of the Association of American Publishers @americanpublish.bsky.social @uoftpress.bsky.social @dependencybonn.de @brocku.ca

It was a pleasure to host Behnaz Mirzai for an engaging and well-attended evening combining lecture and film screening. Many thanks to @behnazmirzai.bsky.social, Jun.-Prof. Dr. Julia Binter for hosting at the GHL, and everyone who joined the discussion.
@unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de @brocku.ca

Spoke and screened my documentary film at the Cultural Heritage Lab and @unibonn.bsky.social @dependencybonn.de Great to meet faculty and students.

Join the upcoming talk and documentary film on African slavery in Iran by Behnaz Mirzai!

📅 Thursday, 11.12. 25
⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 GHL, Poststraße 26, 53111 Bonn
👉 buff.ly/602OkbG
@unibonn.bsky.social
@dfg.de @behnazmirzai.bsky.social

Talk by Behnaz Mirzai: African Slavery in Iran What did the Constitutional Revolution in Iran and the Ottoman Tanzimat reforms mean for the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern slavery? The neighboring empires of the Qajar and Ottoman we...

www.dependency.uni-bonn.de/en/events/ta...

Forever in Your eyes | Like, Share, Comment, Subscribe YouTube video by Purmersong4U

youtube.com/watch?v=5Du-...

@uoftpress.bsky.social

My podcast interview about my recent book.

newbooksnetwork.com/life-of-an-e...

Do You Miss Me Too ( Lyrics ) || Beautiful Slow Rock Love Song 2025 YouTube video by Warboks Media

youtube.com/watch?v=ZuK3...

We invite scholars to contribute to the conference “Enslaved Muslims and Muslim Enslavers: Islam, Politics and Slavery”, taking place at Brock University, Canada, in collaboration with the BCDSS.

More info: buff.ly/lPj8S4f

@unibonn.bsky.social @dfg.de

Spoke in Izmir

17. Dana Bayramı Kutlanıyor Afrotürkler'in kültürünü tanıtmayı ve geleneklerini yaşatmayı amaçlayan 17. Uluslararası Dana Bayramı 20-21 Eylül tarihlerinde düzenlenecek...

Will give a talk during the Afro-Turkish event in Turkey this week.
kultursanat.izmir.bel.tr/Etkinlikler/...

Conference
Enslaved Muslims and Muslim Enslavers: Islam, Politics and Slavery
6-7 July, 2027
@dependencybonn.de @eckartwoertz.bsky.social

unescobrockproject.ca/events/confe...

Beautiful Rhine

Only an Iranian immigrant can truly feel how meaningful this song is!!

dl6.tarikhema.org/music/s/soga...

www.facebook.com/share/p/1A7f...

The conference boat dinner with friends and colleagues in Prague.

I look forward to my research trip in Kenya, Nelly!!!

Beauties which do not fit in a picture!

With Dr. Nelly Masayi from Kenya

The conference events and presentations are in spectacular historical building in Prague.

Prague is magical.

ECAS in Prague

In beautiful Prague. Nice day after the ceasefire !!!

If ceasefire allows for some break to get back to work! Am in Prague for a great large conference. Also I have been invited to Turkey for an important meeting. I am producing my 3rd documentary film on Afro-Turks.