He studied finance and economics at the Sorbonne. In 1972, Banisadr’s father died and he attended the funeral in Iraq where he first met Khomeini. Banisadr had participated in the anti-Shah student movement during the early 1960s and was imprisoned twice, and was wounded during an uprising in 1963. Abolhassan Banisadr was born in 1933 in Hamadan, a historic city in western. From a young age, he showed intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in social justice. Banisadr went to France for higher studies, where he earned a PhD in Economics from the University of Paris.
During his time in Europe, he studied not only economics but also philosophy, political science, and the principles of governance. This academic grounding shaped his vision of modern governance, combining economic development with democratic accountability. Banisadr returned during a time of increasing unrest under the Shah’s authoritarian regime. He became involved in the opposition movement and developed close ties with other intellectuals and political activists, including those aligned with Khomeini. His opposition was rooted in a desire for social justice, economic reform, and political freedom.
