Someone
You Should Know



Aga mirza Mehdi,
Mr. Alamdari was born in 1295 in Shamsi (1916), Ilkhchi. Following his studies at “Maktab” with Molla Hashem for a year, he went to Tabriz where he spent his primary and secondary school years. Later he went on to graduate from Teaching School (Daneshsaraye Moqademati) in 1319. He served in different cities and provinces but mostly in Azerbaijan: Maragheh, Tufarqan (Azer shahr), Osku, Khosroshah, Ilkhchi, and Tabriz for 33 years. Most of his young life was spent in his home town Ilkhchi where he did invaluable services to his people. The following are a few of his contribution to his people’s life:
He brought a primary school to Ilkhchi
When the people of Kahnamou (a village around Osku) refused to send their children to school because of their religious leaders who were against education. Mr. Alamdari who was a principal at the time in Khosroshah, took the opportunity and tried hard to transfer the school to Ilkhchi. He also managed to change the name of the school from Gaem-magam to Salek (to honour Mr. Allahgoli Salek, the most respected religious leader in Ilkhchi). The school started in Shahriver 1322 Shamsi. He encouraged and insisted the people of Ilkhchi to register their children in school.
Hundreds adults became literate in the Evening School
He opened an evening school for young and older people who were illiterate and could not study in the day time. With his efforts hundreds of young and older people in Ilkhchi became literate.
Helped people to build a Medical Centre (Behdariye Ilkhchi)
He encouraged the people of Ilkhchi to build a medical centre “Behdari Ilkhchi” by collecting money from wealthy and poor people. Mr. Alamdari managed to collect money from all people capable of donating 5 Toman to establish the Ilkhichi Clinic. The people, whom were unable to help financially, participated as labour to build the clinic. The Medical centre was opened to operation around 1335 Shamsi.
Helped people and forced wealthy people to build a public bath (Hammam)
His frequent attempts to collect money from a few of the wealthy families for a modern bathing facility finally became possible and a modern public bathing place was built and used. The old Khazine Hamam was finally closed.
Discouraged alcohol consumption and production
His humanitarian efforts extended further. He formed a local committee to discourage people producing and using alcohol. This attempt was quite effective in reducing alcoholism and alcohol related family problems in Ilkhchi.
Encouraged literacy in other neighbouring villages
He traveled to villages near Ilkhchi and asked parents to send their children to study in Salek School. Every year there were many students from other villages like Kurlter and Khasil travelling to Ilkhchi for this purpose. He also used to take students to tour neighbouring villages in order to show them illiterate villagers as well as encouraging villagers to send their children to school to become educated. Mr. Alamdari continued his services to his home town even after he moved to Tabriz in 1332 where he served in different primary & secondary schools. He was appointed by the Edare Farhang to be in charge of building and refurbishing of several schools in Charandab including: Javid, Farvardin primary schools, Banafshe pre-school, and first Honarestane Memari in Tabriz. He served as principle for the “Honerestane Memari” (Technical Architectural School) for two years. He also spent seven years at the Tabriz National Library where he met intellectuals and activist in Tabriz. After his retirement in 1351, he served at the Khanehe Ensaf “House of Justice” as a legal moderator to solve people’s conflicts.
In summary, Mr. Alamdari was an example of a man who devoted most of his seventy years life to helping others. He touched many people’s lives and brought them the very tools necessary to succeed in life. He will forever be remembered as a compassionate teacher, a social worker, and a true Ilkhchian.

Translated from his biography by Nosrat