Paris Tragedy

Yassi's death: Family teaches a world of compassion

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Paris Tragedy
by Goudarz Eghtedari
22-Apr-2011
 

And there are moments that no grief can do justice to the level of sadness and sorrows.

Last Saturday our day was shattered with news that one cannot comprehend and accept. It was short, our friend's young daughter Jasmine Jahanshahi was killed in a fire in Paris.

The story was devastating, especially if you knew that Yassi's family was already struggling with difficulties of a different sort. Yassi, a junior at University of California, Berkeley, hesitated to join the student exchange program in France last Fall, saying that she rather stay few more months with her family. Now she is no longer with us, while her family is arranging a celebration of life for her.

Words are short in describing this tragedy, we are extremely sad and in disbelief, may she rest in peace... As the Daily Mail reports: "The blaze in Menilmontant, a densely populated area of the 20th arrondissement in Paris, is the latest in a long list which have blighted the French capital's public safety record.

Scores of mainly immigrants have died in similar circumstances over the past decade, with the authorities apparently unable to do anything about the scandal."

I, like many others, wish to leave before my child. But Yassi's parents are teaching us another angle of resilience and compassion. Because their daughter is in fact according to the authorities in Paris, a victim of lack of compliance with fire codes, they want to prevent this tragedy from happening to other young fellows in this country.

They have started a campaign to install fire-stairs and smoke detectors in low income housings in the US. If you are interested in contributing to this cause, please contact me directly, so that I can connect you to the family. see more & read more.

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more from Goudarz Eghtedari
 
Hafez for Beginners

Thank You!

by Hafez for Beginners on Wed Apr 27, 2011 03:50 PM PDT

Passing Through: THANK YOU! For posting the details! Much appreciated. RIP Yasmine. 

Afsaneh


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spatima

heart breaking

by spatima on Sat Apr 23, 2011 09:52 PM PDT

my condolences to Yassi's family.

 

R.I.P Yassi 

 

 

In hope of a Free, Independent, Democratic and Secular Iran


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Bavafa

My condolences to her friends and family

by Bavafa on Sat Apr 23, 2011 08:57 PM PDT

May she rest in peace

Mehrdad


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comments

We have to face it sooner or later....

by comments on Sat Apr 23, 2011 07:00 PM PDT

She has gone, and we have to face death sooner or later.  God knows how many people contributed in this website and they are not with us any more.  We all have to be prepared because you never know when it happens.

I wish strenghs to her parents.  I have no idea how they manage.  Sad and tragic for parents. 


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statira

Very tragic

by statira on Sat Apr 23, 2011 06:43 PM PDT

My sympathy goes out to her family.


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Darius Kadivar

RIP !

by Darius Kadivar on Sat Apr 23, 2011 04:46 PM PDT

Tragic.


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Passing Through

J.U.S.T.I.C.E.

by Passing Through on Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:51 PM PDT

Hi Afsaneh,

Reza and Nazie have established this foundation in Jasmine's memory:

Jasmine's Universal Stand Toward Inferno Caution & Education

(or J.U.S.T.I.C.E.)

This foundation will provide fire escape ladder kits and fire safety education for students and residents in low income housing that do not meet safety standards.

Contributions in Jasmine's memory may be sent to:

The Jasmine Jahanshahi Fire Safety Foundation, Inc.
One Clearlake Center
250 S. Australian Ave., Suite 601
West Palm Beach, Fl 33410

 

 


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Hafez for Beginners

RIP Jasmine

by Hafez for Beginners on Sat Apr 23, 2011 09:05 AM PDT

Firstly, RIP Jasmine, and deepest condolences to the Jahanshahi family.

pendar-eh nik: posted the reality that: "Paris is indeed on the brink of a total breakup along the minority/poverty line..." So true, and while Mr. Sarkozy is devoting himself to "helping" the dignity of minority women wrapped in a face-veil, he really couldn't give two hoots about  minority families cooped up in buildings lacking the most basic of fire precautions. Very telling. This is the 3rd or 4th time, that dozens have been killed in a minority community trapped in one of these "below code" buildings. . 

Passing Through - Thanks for you insights. Can we be helped more specifically with where exactly we can give donations? If you see the family, do pass our condolences. RIP Jasmine.

 

Afsaneh


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پندارنیک

RIP

by پندارنیک on Sat Apr 23, 2011 06:51 AM PDT

Words fail to convey my deep sorrow to this young woman's family and friends.

Paris is indeed on the brink of a total breakup along the minority/poverty line...


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shamsi

Tragedy in Paris

by shamsi on Sat Apr 23, 2011 06:20 AM PDT

  My heart goes out to this family, they are in my prayers. May you go thru these days with patience, love for each other, and strength. 

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Simorgh5555

RIP

by Simorgh5555 on Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:59 AM PDT

Ravanesh shad. 

I hope Jasmine's parents overcome this tragedy.

Even more tragic is that this needless death could have been prevetable by taking elementary precautions such as installing fire alarms. 


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Nazy Kaviani

Rest in peace beautiful child...

by Nazy Kaviani on Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:17 PM PDT

I pray for patience and solace for Jasmine's parents, her loved ones, and her friends. I hope they are enveloped with strength and that their love for each other will help them with safe passage through this most sorrowful time. I pray for their peace.


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Passing Through

Dear Goudarz

by Passing Through on Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:58 PM PDT

Thank you very much for this article

I want you to know that I have just come back visiting Reza and Nazie, Jasmine's parents - I have known them for well over 20 years, before Jasmine was born

I saw Jasmine a little over two (2) months ago - Over Shabe' Yalda - She had come back from Paris to spend the Christmas holidays with her family

Over dinner, I spoke to her at length about her plans and ambitions - As you indicated, she was attending U.C. Berkeley, my Alma Mater

This tragedy is indeed unexplainable - Tonight I found out that she together with some of her friends were visiting a friend who lived in this building - As I understand, over night, as they were sleep, two (2) rivaling gangs downstairs had a dispute, and one set the entrance to this building on fire -

The escape stairway was wooden, and consequently, the fire spread rapidly through the building - Essentially, Jasmine and others on the top floor were trapped -

I just did not know what to say to my friends Reza and Nazie, Jasmine's parents - I was at a total loss -

This indeed is an unexplainable - To be at the wrong place at the wrong time -

Please pray for this family - They need much support in the weeks and months ahead -

Tks Again -

PT

 

 


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