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Muslim Women’s League Congratulates Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Prize Winner

The Muslim Women’s League extends its congratulations to the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.  As a Muslim woman, Shirin Ebadi represents a role model of courage for other women by representing the most vulnerable in society against considerable odds. Read her acceptance speech.

As a lawyer, judge and the founder of the Association for Support of Children’s Rights in Iran, she has advocated for women, children and refugees as well as political dissidents.  She struggles to create change from within an Islamic framework which guarantees the rights of equality and equity for all members of society. Her work is based on the premise that all are entitled to equal and equitable treatment within Iran’s legal system.

The Nobel Prize winner views Islam as incorporating the promotion of humanitarian values and the establishment of human rights.  She also notes that women are oppressed, in Iran and other Middle Eastern countries because of the cultural aspect of “male dominance”.  She urges women to change their condition by becoming more knowledgeable about their religion specifically, through the study of the Holy Quran.

In her interview with the National Public Radio (NPR) she emphasized that she does not see a conflict between her struggle for justice and Islam.  Islam, a religion of peace and a way of life with submission to the will of God, promotes the struggle of working towards a more just society, stressing the idea of protecting and supporting the most vulnerable.  “Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity” (Quran 3:104).  “Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of God with their goods and their persons.   God hath granted a grade higher to those who strive…” (Quran 4:95).

Bearing these verses of Quran to heart, individuals like Sharon Ebadi are the real vicegerents of God on this earth.  They stand up for truth and justice.  Their firm convictions are reflected through their actions, which benefit all of society.  We join Ms. Ebadi and others like her who are striving to establish peace, justice and truth around the globe.

October 13, 2003

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