Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, formerly a professor of religion at Oberlin College, is a deeply controversial figure whose career has been marred by allegations of anti-Semitism, support for terrorism, and a history of unethical behavior. Known for his outspoken justification of Hamas terrorism and his troubling history with Iran’s regime, Mahallati exemplifies a dangerous confluence of extremist rhetoric and academic influence.

Mohammad Jafar Mahallati’s Scandals

Encouraging Support for Hamas

• In late 2023, Mahallati was under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights for reportedly teaching students at Oberlin to express support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization responsible for heinous atrocities against civilians.
  • Students were allegedly given academic credit for writing papers that aligned with anti-Israel and pro-Hamas narratives.
  • His actions occurred shortly after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre, which involved mass murder, rape, torture, beheadings, and kidnappings of civilians.

Cover-Up of Crimes Against Humanity

• During his tenure as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations (1987–1989), Mahallati was accused of helping cover up the 1988 mass murder of 5,000 Iranian political prisoners.
  • Amnesty International accused him of “facilitating the ongoing commission of the crime against humanity of enforced disappearance” by working to discredit reports on the killings and weakening the UN’s response.
  • His role in these atrocities paints a picture of an individual complicit in grave human rights violations.

Sexual Harassment and “Sex for Grades” Allegations

• In the 1990s, while teaching at Columbia University, Mahallati was accused of engaging in a quid pro quo sexual harassment scheme.
  • He allegedly coerced a graduate student into sexual encounters in exchange for favorable grades.
  • The case, which the victim claimed involved repeated advances and academic retaliation, was settled in 1998 but left a lasting stain on his professional reputation.

Promotion of Extremist and Anti-Semitic Rhetoric

• Mahallati’s career has been characterized by extreme anti-Semitic and pro-terrorist remarks, including calls for the destruction of Israel.
  • In a 1988 UN speech, he referred to Israel as an “artificial state” and claimed that the region could only achieve peace through the complete eradication of Zionism.
  • He praised the first intifada, a period of violent attacks against civilians, as a “glorious uprising” and commended Palestinian martyrdom as part of a “culture of resistance.”

A Troubling Academic Career

• At Oberlin, Mahallati’s tenure as a professor was suspended in November 2023, following public outcry over his classroom practices and controversial history.
  • Despite holding prestigious positions at institutions like Columbia, Princeton, and Yale, his career has been plagued by allegations of misconduct and his persistent use of academia as a platform to spread extremist ideologies.

Biographical Details

• Academic Background:
  • PhD in Islamic Studies from McGill University.
• Career Highlights:
  • Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN (1987–1989).
  • Former Nancy Schrom Dye Chair in Middle East and North Africa Studies at Oberlin College.

Conclusion

Mohammad Jafar Mahallati represents a dangerous mix of extremist rhetoric, unethical behavior, and a willingness to exploit his position of influence. His history of anti-Semitism, open support for terrorism, and complicity in human rights abuses make him a deeply troubling figure in both academic and political circles.