Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Speaks at UT
She cited the example of Turkey. In 2008, the newly elected government passed a law that modified the constitution and allowed Muslim women attending a university to wear head scarfs. Previously, religious clothing had been banned by the constitution. She was careful to frame her women’s rights position as compatible with the Koran. During the question and answer period she was challenged on this point by two different men, one waving verses of the Koran and calling out: “It says in the Koran that a man is superior to a woman. What verses are you citing?” That question elicited a quick grimace and a long answer.
In talking about the importance of freedom of speech, she mentioned the hidden censorship in this country. She thought that “large media companies filter what the public receives” and cited the concentration of book publishers in the United States. With the many alternative news outlets on the web (and publishers, including university presses), it seems hard to believe that all the news is filtered.
Dr. Ebadi has been jailed. For her protection, there was no video or audio recording of the lecture. She is currently defending the American journalist convicted of spying and hoped Americans would speak out when her clients are arrested. “You can help me by helping my clients,” she said.
A reading from her memoir, Iran Awakening, is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at Book People. The book covers her life as the first female judge up to her receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. She witnessed the rise of the Iranian Revolution.
Further activities can be found here, although the LBJ Library event on Thursday is sold out.
