A Voice of Freedom and Peace: Narges Mohammadi
The story of the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize 2023. She is so brave and her life is very inspiring for all of us. She is the messenger of truth.
In the past year, a poignant incident in Iran garnered international attention as the Iranian police tragically took the life of a 22-year-old woman named Masha Amini. Her only “crime” was her defiance of Iran’s strict dress code, particularly her refusal to wear the hijab.
This horrifying event ignited a global outcry. Subsequently, women across Iran flooded the streets, bringing the world’s focus to the deteriorating state of women’s rights within the nation. However, it is essential to understand that the struggle of Iranian women for their rights has been an enduring one since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, with their status progressively worsening, both at home and on the international stage, leading to ongoing protests.
Masha Amini’s tragic fate acted as a catalyst, bringing the world’s attention to long-standing issues faced by Iranian women. Amid this upheaval, another remarkable story emerged, involving a 51-year-old woman who remains imprisoned, unwavering in her pursuit of justice. She is held in Tehran’s notorious ‘Evin’ prison, a facility known for its harsh conditions and housing nearly 25% of political prisoners.
Her “crime” is advocating for women’s rights in Iran, actively raising her voice on international platforms. This has led the government to brand her as a traitor, attempting to silence her powerful voice.
Interestingly, her academic journey initially led her to study “Applied Physics.” Yet, during her college years, she transitioned to becoming an advocate for women’s rights. She began writing articles in newspapers and protesting against the government’s anti-women policies.
In 2002, she started working for an Iranian women’s empowerment organization founded by Shirin Ebadi, a prominent human rights activist. Her unwavering passion and dedication to this cause became evident. When Shirin received the Nobel Peace Prize the following year, she declared, “The real deserving recipient of this award is this young lady.”
Today, at the age of 51, that “young lady” has been honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize herself. We are talking about Nargis Mohammadi.
She remains incarcerated, and she will continue to serve her long sentences, enduring the severe conditions and isolation that have caused various physical and mental health issues. Nevertheless, her courage remains unbroken.
“My goal back then was to fight religious tyranny, which along with tradition and social customs has led to the deep repression of women”
- Narges Mohammadi
Last year, during a temporary release due to health reasons, she authored a book based on her experiences and those of fellow inmates in prison. The moment news of her book emerged, the government swiftly returned her to prison.
Despite these challenges, she persists in conveying the voices and struggles of Iranian women to the world through social media channels and articles.
In today’s world, revolutions are unfolding in different corners, driven by individuals who refuse to compromise and accept the status quo. They tirelessly work for the well-being and freedom of all of humanity.
These are individuals who cannot turn a blind eye and simply say, “If it’s going the way it is, then so be it.”
They are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good, even when we may be unaware of their struggles. They persist.
