LEWISTON — Parivash Rohani of Auburn will be the featured speaker at the USM Lewiston-Auburn Senior College “Food for Thought” luncheon, to be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13. Her topic is “Glimpses of Iran.” She will narrate a Power Point presentation of photos of Iran and Iranian art. The public is cordially invited.

Rohani was born in Ardestan, Iran, during the reign of the Shah and grew up in a family who belonged to the Baha’i religious community. Due to the religious persecution under the fundamentalist Iranian government, her family felt it was safer for her to go to India when she was 18 and pursue an education there.

She studied economics and business and remained there for six years. She met her husband, Nassar Rohani, also a native of Iran, while in India and married him soon after.

In 1985, with their daughter, the young family immigrated to the United States, and soon were directed to move to Auburn where they have made their home ever since.

After many years living in Auburn, Rohani learned of her mother’s serious illness, and felt an urgent need to visit her, despite the risk of traveling to Iran. She did go this past year and stayed a few months and found the Iran of her youth had changed drastically.

During her presentation, Rohani will share her thoughts and feelings and give the audience an idea of how Iran today is different from the Iran of her childhood. She will also discuss the larger issue of human rights and the ongoing persecution of individuals who practice the Baha’i religion.

Senior College presents the monthly 11:30 a.m. luncheon program in Function Room 170 at USM LAC. The cost, which includes lunch, is $7 with advance reservation or $8 at the door. Advance reservations for this program must be made by noon on Wednesday, March 11, by calling 753-6510.