Dear UTIRAN community,

We acknowledge the hardships our community is facing as our courageous compatriots rise to reclaim a free Iran.

As student leaders, we are committed to amplifying the voices and demands of our members in all communications with university officials. We are actively in contact with relevant university offices to secure academic, mental health, and financial accommodations. Your input will help us tailor our requests to reflect your needs as accurately as possible.

We invite you to share your concerns and the ways you believe UTIRAN can support you by completing this anonymous form. We will use these responses to strengthen our advocacy and push for concrete support from the university.

Please also stay tuned for petitions proposed by Iranian Students’ Associations across Canada to advocate for Iranian students at higher levels of government.

Thank you for helping us support our community.

به امید ایران آزاد

https://forms.gle/3Etyj3mnqee1H61H7

Email template for emailing to Professors and Departments:

Dear [NAME OF PROF OR NAME OF DEPARTMENT],

My name is [YOUR NAME], and I am writing this email to you as an Iranian student at [YOUR UNIVERSITY NAME] to bring your attention to the severe negative impacts that the current anti-regime protests in Iran are having on my academic and mental wellbeing.

As of Jan 8th, 2026, the Islamic republic of Iran, recognized as a state supporter of terrorism by the government of Canada, has shut down all modes of communication including internet, cellular data, and landlines upon nationwide protests across all provinces in Iran. While Iran is in a total blackout and I have no contact with my family back home, a few reports have been communicated through Starlink networks, including videos of hundreds of dead bodies piling up as well as the use of military-grade weapons against unarmed civilians, which have been and continue to be extremely traumatizing. Together, this traumatizing news and lack of contact with my family members who are also at risk of these brutalities have significantly impacted my academic performance. Hence, I am writing this email to request your support and understanding by:

Showing leniency in granting appropriate academic accommodations including deadline extension of all course work, alternative offerings such as alternative test sittings and/or assignments
Considering alternative presentation and participation methods for in-class obligations given poor mental health
Showing leniency in requiring supporting documents such as “verification of illness” for missed coursework due to lack of timely access to health practitioners. [YOUR UNIVERSITY’S IRANIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION NAME] is actively in contact with the office of Health and Wellness to increase access to mental health practitioners for affected students

Thank you so much for your understanding and support during these difficult times.

Best regards,

[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR STUDENT #]

Please use this template to email your departments, course coordinators/ instructors, and college registrars, while UTIRAN reaches out to Student Life, Office of the Provost, and College Registrars.

Please access this document for a variety of templates prepared by partner Iranian Associations:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eFwVK3BbgPUggDj3_bMWWtgjlWXKdUvtQ3myBC0Wqf8/edit?usp=sharing


We need maximum contribution from every member to ensure that the university recognizes the gravity of the situation.

Please email utiranuoft@gmail.com for any concerns you might have that we must share with the university. I would like to ask anyone who knows of a UTSG, UTM, or a UTSC student who is currently stuck in Iran to let us know so that UTIRAN and partner associations in UTSC and UTM can inform the university of their forced absence.

The link to our group chat is updated:

https://t.me/+3MXwvYDgmN4yMDgx

Please use it to join the discussions that help us support you better and help everyone feel supported by you as a community member.

While we strive to uphold freedom of expression in the chat, and everywhere else, I would like to ask you to refrain from debating the current situation so that we can focus on things that matter the most right now.

Hello,

I just had a meeting with my own college's registrar to see if they would consider expediting our requests. As far as Trinity college goes, they won't do that.

Nevertheless, the recommendation was that we reach to course instructors and coordinators to ask for extensions and accommodations, and email the registrar's office in the meantime as well. They would vouch for us if the professors ask for it but go to your profs for quick decisions.

We, the Iranian Students’ Associations across Canada, have come together to demonstrate our solidarity and support for our patriots fighting for a free Iran. As of today, reports indicate over 12,000 deaths as we enter the sixth day of a complete internet shutdown in Iran. To honour the bravery of those who have sacrificed their lives for a free Iran, and to raise awareness among university students and Western media, we invite everyone, whether a student or not, to join us on Friday, January 16, initially at U of T's Convocation Hall.

We encourage all participants to bring national symbols of Iran, printed photos of those murdered or imprisoned by the Islamic Republic, informational posters regarding the current uprisings in Iran, and the flag of Canada to show that Iranian Canadians are united with their people in our motherland and our second home. Please refrain from bringing other nations’ flags or symbols, as we aim to maintain focus on our beloved country, Iran.

For safety purposes:
We encourage attendees to dress appropriately for the weather.

Media representatives will be present, and you may be photographed. Please feel free to cover your face if you do not wish for your face to be shown.
We acknowledge that diverse opinions exist across the diaspora and among non-Iranian individuals.

If anyone attempts to disrupt or hijack our rally, please refrain from any verbal or physical confrontation and inform the organizers. Toronto Police and campus security will address the situation safely.

This is the list of participating associations:

@ubcpc @isayorku @iraniantmu @sfuiranian @iaqueensu @iocadu @igsa_ucalgary @psn_ucalgary @psa.utm @iranians_uoft @utsciranians @uoft_sfi
@capilano.pars.club @isaw.ca @uwpersiansa @isa.wlu

Photo credit @Phrzz (Instagram)
Design Credit: IAOCADU Team

Please find a short list of up-to-date resources compiled by the Multi Faith Center team at Student Life.

These are very difficult days to get anything done on your own. The reality of our personal lives, with ongoing responsibilities in safety and freedom, clashes with the reality of our collective suffering as Iranians watching our people getting killed and our homeland in turmoil.

Yet work cannot wait. The Multi-Faith Centre and UTIRAN have planned drop-in study sessions for us to gather together, talk, and get some work done.

Dates, locations, and hours:

- Thursday, January 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Multi-Faith Centre, Multipurpose Room, second floor

- Tuesday, January 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Multi-Faith Centre, Main Activity Hall, second floor

Please join our group chat to share ideas and receive informal updates:

https://t.me/+3MXwvYDgmN4yMDgx

UTIRAN and the Multi-Faith Centre are offering a Community Gathering from 4 to 7 pm.

In this space we will have Dr. Reza Eskandari facilitate a group support circle from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.

We will have light refreshments to share with each other.

About Reza Eskandari: Reza Eskandari is a Registered Psychotherapist (RPQ) from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). A description of Reza’s years of experience in psychiatry, counselling, and psychotherapy is as follows:

Board Certified Psychiatrist (Iran) and International Medical Graduate (WES).
Post-Doc Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Counsellor-Psychotherapist, USA (Massachusetts), 2008-2012.
Master of Arts in Counselling and Psychotherapy (MACP), Yorkville University (Practicum).

Thursday, Jan 22nd
4-7 p.m.
KP 208 (Main Activity Hall), Koffler House (569 Spadina Ave.)


REGISTER HERE. [Only open to U of T students and U of T affiliated members]

For staff, post-docs and alumni, T card will be required upon entrance.

Please see the message below from Urshian Khalid at the Multi-Faith Centre:

My name is Urshian Khalid, Associate Director at the Multi-Faith Centre. I am writing to check in and to extend our care and support in light of the ongoing events impacting Iran and members of our Iranian student community.

We wish to acknowledge the unique emotional, academic, and social pressures Iranian students may be experiencing at this time — whether related to displacement, political unrest, family separation, or academic stress. We understand this may be an emotionally complex time. Please know that you are not alone, and that support is available.

The Multi-Faith Centre will be offering the following dedicated spaces:

Global Communities of Care - Community Spaces and Gathering

Facilitated by Dr. Reza Eskandari, Farsi-speaking Counsellor
Registration required
In-Person Sharing Circle
Friday, March 6 | 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

3rd Floor MFC Lounge (KP308)
Facilitated by Dr. Reza Eskandari

Tea and dates will be provided.

Hey everyone,

Please see the following message from a valued community member, Behrang, regarding an event they have organized for this Friday:

Dear friends and colleagues,

I would like to warmly invite you to a discussion event taking place this Friday.

A group of students and I are organizing an open conversation about the current situation in Iran. We welcome all members of the University of Toronto community—students, staff, and faculty—to join us for an evening of thoughtful discussion. Snacks will be provided, funded and prepared by student volunteers.
We believe "Many difficult questions have simple answers; we just need to start talking with each other respectfully".

Recent events in Iran have affected many people in our community in different ways. At the same time, the way these issues are discussed in the media and online can sometimes deepen misunderstandings or tensions. Our goal with this event is to create a respectful space where people can ask questions, share perspectives, and listen to one another.

There are many questions circulating within our community, such as:

What is happening in Iran now?

How are Iranian-Canadians interpreting political developments both in Iran and abroad?

Is the current movement primarily about freedom, or is it being framed through more complex political narratives?

Are friendships and relationships within our community being strained by differing views on these events?

Rather than allowing these questions to divide us, we hope to bring people together in a constructive and welcoming environment. The format will include an open microphone so participants can raise questions, exchange ideas, and engage in dialogue in a supportive setting. We hope this will strengthen connections within our university community and help create a more understanding and respectful atmosphere during a difficult time.
I have already received encouraging feedback from several undergraduate and graduate students, which makes me hopeful that this conversation will be meaningful. If you are interested, I would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word.

You can register for the event using the following link, and the QR code is attached:

https://forms.gle/bDEHyzoJs8Df76kJ8

I hope to see many of you there.

Warm regards,

Behrang

Hi Everyone,

Please see this update from Behrang:

Hi everyone,
Thank you for registering for “A Celebration, Expression of Gratitude, and Open Discussion about Iran.”
This is a friendly reminder that the event will take place tomorrow from 4:00–8:00 PM in Room 208 (Level 2), Roseburgh Building (RS), 164 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9.
Please feel free to invite friends or colleagues who may be interested. We still have some capacity available, and snacks will be provided for all attendees.
This is an open session, and people outside of the university are welcome, as well.
If there are specific topics, questions, or perspectives you would like to see included in the discussion, we would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Please feel free to reply to this email, and we will do our best to incorporate your suggestions into the presentation and discussion.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Best regards,
Behrang

For over 2500 years, this tradition has belonged to the Iranian people, not to those who try to erase our history, our symbols, and our national identity. This year, we gather not for festivity, but for remembrance, community, and hope.

Iran and Nowruz have survived invasions and centuries of change. They will survive this regime too.

This gathering is also for those spending Nowrooz away from family, away from home, and longing for community. We wanted to create a space where we can come together, hold one another, and mark the new year with warmth and intention.

This is not a festive celebration:

- In honour of the lives lost in the Uprising of the Lion and Sun, and in honour of the innocent lives we continue to lose in the current war, we will be gathering in a spirit of reflection, community, and hope. We celebrate Nowruz this year as a symbolic expression of renewal, resilience, and freedom for our homeland.

Join us for a warm, intimate community gathering with egg painting, pottery, seed planting, and other small stations designed for connection and reflection.

Samanoo, Ash Reshteh, Ajil, sweets, tea, and other refreshments will be served.

Admission is free for U of T affiliated guests. Each U of T affiliated attendee may bring up to one non U of T guest, who must arrive with them and remain with them throughout the event.

Doors close at 5:00 p.m. sharp. Capacity is limited to 40 attendees, and filling out the form is required for admission.


We hope you will join us as we welcome spring together, with hope for renewal and freedom in Iran.