Ali Akbar, having traveled to Russia, returned disillusioned with the rise of communism. The brothers shifted their focus to commerce, first in Tabriz and later in Tehran, where they entered the food trade. While Mehdi faced initial setbacks — even bankruptcy — his resilience saw him rise to become a successful tea merchant in Tehran’s bustling bazaars.
The First Spark: Education in Daryan
Unlike many merchants who would have been content with personal success, Mehdi believed in giving back. His first significant philanthropic project began in 1325 (1946/47), when he financed and established the first school in Daryan village. This was a revolutionary step for a region where formal education was a distant dream for many families.
Mehdi was not content with a single school. Recognizing education as the cornerstone of community development, he began funding school construction throughout the Shabestar region. By 1338 (1959/60), under his patronage, 24 schools had been established across the villages of Arnoq Anzab and neighboring areas. In just over a decade, Mehdi had transformed the educational landscape of a region long neglected by the state.
These schools were not mere buildings; they were symbols of hope and gateways to opportunity. Generations of students from rural East Azerbaijan would remember Mehdi Ebrahimi Daryan as the man who opened the doors of knowledge to them.