HOSSEIN ALIKHANI, 1945–2008 

t is with great sadness that the Centre for World Dialogue announces the death of Hossein Alikhani, its co-founder and president.

An Iranian-born citizen of Cyprus, Hossein was a passionate believer in the necessity for improved understanding between the peoples of the world, and in particular between Muslim countries and the West.

It was to further this goal that he established in 1995 the Centre for World Dialogue, which in 1999 launched its journal, Global Dialogue.

A successful businessman, Hossein was also an accomplished author who published two expert studies of US sanctions legislation: In the Claw of the Eagle (1995), which focused on US sanctions against Libya, and Sanctioning Iran: Anatomy of a Failed Policy (2000).

Hossein was especially keen to see rapprochement between the United States and his homeland, Iran. One of his most notable efforts towards this end was his convening of a groundbreaking meeting in July 1998 in Paris between Abbas Abdi, one of three student leaders who organised the student takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, and Barry Rosen, one of the US hostages. Time magazine described their encounter as “a dramatic meeting ... and a powerful symbol of reconciliation”.

Hossein was convinced that the United States and Iran would eventually overcome their differences. “One day the US will have a relationship with Iran,” he said in 2007. “Maybe not in my lifetime, but it will happen.”

His legacy endures in the Centre he founded, which will continue its work on behalf of his noble vision of peace and understanding between peoples.

The Centre’s journal, Global Dialogue, will henceforth be published in honour of the memory of Mr Alikhani. 

We at the Centre join his family and many friends in mourning the passing of our founder and valued colleague. He will be missed more than we can say.