Faith is an integral part of millions of Americans’ daily lives. “One Nation Under God” is committed to reflecting America’s voices, values and communities covering stories of faith and religion, from the latest headlines to stories of hope. Subscribe here.
(NewsNation) — Princess Iman Pahlavi, the granddaughter of Iran’s last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was married in a traditional Iranian ceremony, according to her father, the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
The bride’s grandmother, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi, was also present, along with close family and friends. “Congratulations on the wedding of dear Iman and Bradley. I wish them a long life full of good health, happiness, success, sunshine and blue skies,” Empress Farah said.
According to the Jerusalem Post, the groom, Bradley Sherman, is a Jewish American businessman. The couple married in a private ceremony in Paris after a courthouse wedding in New York, according to reports. Pictures of the couple being lifted on chairs during what appeared to be the traditional Jewish hora dance emerged on social media. The bride’s family is associated with Shia Islam.
Bride’s father Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi exiled
The bride’s father, Reza Pahlavi, has been calling for regime change in Iran. “For more than 40 years I have fought for one thing: democracy in Iran,” he said on X. ”Now we have an opportunity because this regime is at its weakest point. There’s a window in which we can operate and hopefully liberate our country.”
In 1979, Pahlavi’s parents left Iran in exile after the Islamic revolution led to the overthrow of their dynasty and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The revolution was fueled by discontent with the Shah of Iran, who was seen as corrupt and closely allied with the West.
But now, more than 50 years later, there is widespread discontent among Iranians who are unhappy with the theocratic government, a lack of basic human rights and personal freedoms and economic malaise.
Pahlavi family supports rights of Iranians
The Pahlavi family has supported the rights of Iranians from abroad and enjoys popularity among Iranians, according to veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour, who grew up under the shah in Iran. “The people chose the Islamic Republic instead of them, but now have seen that the Islamic Republic is so much harsher, is so much more punitive, gives so much fewer rights and is isolated from the world and the economy is appalling,” Amanpour said on the BBC.
According to Vogue Arabia, Princess Iman’s wedding was “steeped in tradition and yet unmistakably modern, reflecting the bride’s deep cultural roots and contemporary worldview.”