Mohammad-Ali Shahidi

Hojjatoleslam Seyed Mohammad Ali Shahidi Mahallati (Persian: سید محمد علی شهیدی محلاتی‎) is an Iranian cleric and politician who currently serves as Director of Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs. In 2009, former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, established the post of Chief Inspector, and put Shahidi as the first leader. However he was replaced on the July 20, 2011. He is brother-in-law of Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri and Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi.

Early life

Mohammad Ali Shahidi was born on July 9, 1949, in Mahallat, Iran. He began at early life, studying in the Hawza, and has earned the rank of Hojjatoleslam, and equivalent of a master's degree. It is known that he came to know Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, from the years at the Hawza.

Parliament

Shahidi Mahallati was elected as a part of the Parliament of Iran on the 2nd of May 1988. He served for one term, with the term ending on the 3rd of May 1992. It is interesting to say that Shahidi Mahallati was in the parliament, at the same period as Hassan Rouhani. At that term, Shahidi Mahallati's brother in law, was the head of the parliament.

Foreign Ministry

During former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's first term, Mahallati was put as the Deputy Foreign Minister for consular affairs, by the Foreign Minister of the time, Manoucher Mottaki.