User:AalaArman/sandbox

BIOGRAPHY
Mohammad Okhovat, a philanthropist and scholar, born in Iran on August 26 /1950 and from early age was taught to have big dreams and high goals. In pursuit of his ideals, he left Iran for America to study medicine when he was a teenager.

As a foreign student who had to pay a much higher college tuition than what the domestic students were paying, he had to work hard in various fields to support himself while being a full-time student at the University of Pennsylvania and later at the University of California (UCLA).

Working full-time and being a full-time medical student was not an easy challenge, especially, English not being his mother tongue. So, he gave up medicine and focused on other fields including: Communications, Public Relations, Economics, Management, Arts, Architecture, History, Mass Media, and International Affairs with aims to become a great journalist or a good diplomat someday.

After many years he returned to Iran, got married and started a teaching job at Iranian Universities while holding a position in the Ministry of Culture and Arts, as well. But, soon, the unexpected revolution in Iran suddenly turned thing around. The incumbent government collapsed, ministries were torn a part, and all universities were immediately shut down.

Like many of his colleagues, he decided to return to US. They were on their way that Iraq invaded Iran, Sept. 22 / 1980. The airports and all borders were closed and the brutal war between the two nations started and everything got real stormy and kept getting worse. Iraq bombed every city and town and turned life into a nightmare for everyone.

One night, in the midst of severe bombardments, while trying to find shelter under a bridge with his children in his arms, his three year old son who had sobbed all night, insistently, kept begging him to stop the war! When he promised him he would, the little boy calmed down and fell asleep in his arms. At that epochal moment; he set his mind, his heart, and his soul on the cause of peace and a more civil world.

Soon after that moment, he returned to US. where most of the world policies took form and shape, hoping to be a voice for the voiceless, and an instrument of peace. There, he started exploring the root causes of wars and conflicts between the people and nations and vigorously looked for solutions.

He spent many years on creating a model for a kinder social system and a gentler world. He started to revisit history and focused on the emergence of civilizations and the rise and fall of empires. He discovered, through out history, when ever the scholars had paramount roles in management and in the societies' directions and their shaping of policies, the world has experienced its most peaceful times - times that civilizations were created and thrived. Therefore, in 1985 he founded a non-profit foundation, SHAHIR (Scholars Harmonious Actions Helping International Restorations) Foundation, what he called "A New Vision, New Hope, New Paradigm, and a New World". Based on this foundation he created a World Peace Template called PCS. PCS was a matrix which stood for Planetary Comprehensive Strategies, Planetary Collective Solutions, Perfect Civil Society, Peace Conscious Society, Peace Culminating Seeds, ... and much more.

On the eve of May 28/1989, on the occasion of Dr. Armand Hammer's 91st, and his last Birthday celebration at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, he met a journalist named Mr. John Wallach to whom he talked about his SHAHIR Foundation and his PCS plans, programs, and his ideals broadly. Mr. Wallach requested a copy of the PCS synopsis and received it a few days later. In 1992, Mohammad had to go back to Iran to spend some time with his ailing parents. But, occasionally, he kept in touch with John. He was delighted when heard John, inspired by his PCS, and by using its framework, had founded the Seeds of Peace in 1993. Deep in his heart, he felt fulfilled for he knew it was his brainchild, and knew well its immense global potential for the good of mankind.

While being in Iran, he tried hard to improve Iranian relation with the rest of the world, especially, the West. In 1998, he hosted a high business delegation from Canada, headed by Mr. Tommy Watson, the Agri-Food-Agri-Feed Deputy Minister, which culminated in huge bilateral trades between the two countries. Subsequently, in reciprocity, he led a High Business and Trade Delegation to Canada with the cooperation of Canada's Chamber of Commerce High Council and other relevant ministries which resulted in adding billions of dollars to Canada's economy in various forms of investments and trades.

Mohammad and his family have been devoted citizen and resident of Toronto for many years.

Philanthropy, World Peace, Environment,children and women's rights have remained his main causes. They have been, since he made that vow to his little son in that cold night under that concrete bridge and constant Iraqi bombardments 34 years ago. He believes, together, with love, tolerance, dedication, and patience "World Peace" can be achieved and "One Better World" can be built.

On September 21/2003, on the occasion of World Peace Day, in an open letter, titled "A World Peace Plan On The Occasion of World Peace Day" to Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, CNN, and also by direct email, Mohammad sent a message to many of the world leaders, and some former presidents like President Clinton, President Carter, Gorbachev, and most prominent laureates, dignitaries, philanthropists, religious leaders, scholars, scientists, environmentalists, human rights activists, global icons, and many popular celebrities and invited them to join him to form the World Leaders Global Council and initiate the World Leaders Annual Congregations and the Global Action Partnership, based on collective wisdom, synergistic strength, and, with the help and generous contributions and dedications of all who care for humanity - to find solutions to our global problems, bring global relief, actualize World Peace, and act harmoniously on bringing about  One Better World.

At the same time he sent a letter to Queen Noor of Jordan along with the details of his vision and plans and invited her be the torch bearer of his cause.

Later, in January 2004 right after devastating Bam's Earthquake in Iran, December 24/2003, Mohammad Registered the Non-profit foundation, SHAHIR (Scholars Harmonious Alliance Helping International Relief) Foundation in Canada and invited Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay, Miss World Canada and Miss World First Runner up of 2003 to join his cause, explaining to her his plans and initiative in detail all night long.

He advised and persuaded Nazanin, if she was to preserve her title and perpetuate her fame and legacy, she should take on a global cause. A year later, Nazanin launched her own cause, "Stop Child Execution" which was not exactly what he suggested, but it did highly add to her fame and success.

It was not until 2005, and after Queen Noor's meeting with President Clinton, that Clinton initiated Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and implemented the same plan and idea and put them to work. CGI, though still missing some fundamental elements and not as perfect as the original plan and idea meant to be, has been the most successful NGO in the world, raising hundreds of billions of dollars so far, and, hopefully used for the right purpose and the sake of humanity and One Better World.

Mohammad, once again, sent another direct email to President Carter, after seeing him on Larry King's Show on CNN displaying his hobby products (The wood work and homemade wines that he sold in auctions). He wrote "Let's rebuild the Noah's Ark to save the world instead of building cabinets." He also sent similar messages to others including Nelson Mandela, some Peace Laureates, and some other prominent philanthropists, celebrities, and journalists. Soon, The Elders council was formed, and also, The Governor of Kentucky began building the Ark Theme Park.

Mohammad, deep in his heart, is very happy that others have used his ideas, especially, for a good causes! He hopes and wishes the others continue to follow suit. But, he also believes an embryo which grows in a tube won't be the same person who grows in mother's womb. The one who grows in a tube may become a killer! But, a savior, had he grown in his mother's womb.

Moe believes "If one builds a castle in the air, his effort should not be in vain. He should be helped to put pillars under it."

He says what inspires me and gives me power are these Jesus's words, "Be hold, the least among you may be the worthiest of all, for that very least might be holding the key to a gate that whole humanity could pass through." Jesus

Mohammad Says, "I may be a big dreamer. But, I also know that most of the good things in the world have been created by the dreamer, or, have been shape by them."

Mohammad incorporated BIT Corp. in Ontario in 2002 and SHAHIR FOUNDATION, an non-profit in 2004.

And all through the recent years, he has been giving form and shapes to his ideas for improvement of international relations and the creation of a more united, gentler and more peaceful world called One Better World. One Better World

VISION and Mission:
Mohammad Okhovat's vision for Toronto is clear and broad. He believes Toronto is a great city and can be a hundred times greater if its real potentials were fully recognized, and tapped on. And, that's exactly what he intends to do as a mayor.

He believes a city is like a person with many membranes and faculties. And Mayor is in charge of its health and security. Therefore he has created a health and security chart named HEALTHS which shows how his priorities for the city have been formed, and on what priorities are focused. He believes first and foremost Economy must be stimulated by creating jobs, reducing unemployment, and by increasing revenue without raising taxes. He believes the best and the greenest way is tourism industry, for which Toronto has the greatest potential in the world but not exploited yet. Mohammad, already, has a few plans including the The Venice Project and Peace City Project for Toronto Island and Harbor Front in mind. www.NewVenice.org and www.PeaceCity.ca One Better Toronto