Testimonials

“I studied Persian both formally and informally for two years when I joined Muhammad’s classes. I was looking to break out of learning “Where is the local library?”, “When is your birthday?” and get to grips with some truly great literature. With his poetry classes Muhammad certainly provided that in spades. He is an extremely attentive and well-read teacher, open to hearing how his students are hearing each poem for themselves and able to provide a tremendous wealth of context to every text. I could not recommend him highly enough. If you already have the absolute basics in the language he will encourage you as far along the path of reading, translating, understanding and reciting the classics of Persian literature as you are willing to go.””

Edward, UK

“I studied Persian on my own for a few years, and had a decent grasp of the grammar. But I struggled with understanding poetry - which is what I really wanted to be reading - both because of cultural and historical information I needed, and a general lack of experience. In lessons with Muhammad, I read through many stories and poems from Saʿdi’s Gulistān, improving my knowledge of the literature and also getting more confident in my ability to work through lines of verse at a faster pace. I’d recommend him to anybody seeking to improve their Persian reading and to learn more about this amazing body of literature.”

Matt, USA

“My classes with Muhammad are the highlight of my week. His interest and passion in Persian poetry is evident and contagious. His knowledge of the lexicon and its etymologies, the poetry and its references greatly enhance my understanding of the texts. Strongly recommended for anyone who is interested in accessing these texts directly, without the interference of the often orientalist translations still prevalent in the West.”

Nicholas, Brazil

“I started studying Persian poetry through private classes with Muhammad Ali a year ago. I could speak basic Persian and knew the script from studying Arabic, but couldn’t really read Persian at all, let alone poetry. A year later, I can read texts like Rumi’s Masnavi by myself - I just need to look up some more obscure words. What’s remarkable is that I’ve made this progress without feeling like I’ve studied a language. The sessions are a mixture of literature, theology, and philosophy and have given me a sense of the poetic and spiritual meanings behind texts alongside the vocab and grammar. The sessions and the poetry we have studied has had a profound impact on me and I couldn’t recommend the courses and individual classes more highly.”

James, UK

““With Ali’s help, my ability to read and comprehend Persian has greatly improved, including the complex structures found in poetry. The literature often include vocabulary and references that would have been common at the time of writing, but are unfamiliar in a modern setting, Ali provides all the necessary context for the poems. He’s also very flexible with scheduling: it can be difficult for me to meet at the same time each week, so he is always willing to work with my schedule. I highly recommend studying with Ali.””

Jack, NYC

““Persian Poetics Poetry classes helped me connect with my heritage and learn more about the poetic origins of the well-known sayings and aphorisms of Persian culture. I recommend these courses for anyone who would like to dive deeper into these works - not only as isolated, archaic lines of poetry - but as a nuanced explanation of a broader worldview and philosophy. The classes are engaging and informative - and often entertaining! I’m glad I had a chance to read the literature both in the original Persian and the most famous English language interpretations of these works. By putting the poetry in cultural and historical contexts, one can better understand the Persian society of the past and how it has shaped our present day.””

Sara, Chicago

““Muhammad Ali is a natural teacher! He has a deep passion for Persian poetry, and it shows through all his efforts. The classes are well structured, organised and I especially enjoy his efforts in explaining the context of the poems that he teaches, it makes the poems much more meaningful and memorable. It’s been insightful learning about the poets behind the poetry as well.””

-Nilufar, United Kingdom

““Muhammad presents the poetry classes in a welcoming and sensitive manner. The class provides a safe space for students to discuss personal and cultural anecdotes relevant to the presented materials. Students new to Persian are encouraged to take a leap and read from ancient texts. Even those familiar with Persian poetry are guaranteed to learn something new each session, whether a linguistic concept or a historical event.””

Anahita, Toronto