Book description
In this remarkable book, Shirin Ebadi, Iranian human rights lawyer
and activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, tells her extraordinary
life story.
Dr Ebadi is a tireless voice for reform in her native Iran, where
she argues for a new interpretation of Sharia law in harmony with
vital human rights such as democracy, equality before the law,
religious freedom and freedom of speech. She is known for defending
dissident figures, and for the establishment of a number of non-profit
grassroots organisations dedicated to human rights. In 2003 she became
the first Muslim woman, and the first Iranian, to be awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize.
She chronicles her childhood and upbringing before the Iranian
Revolution, her education and student years at the University of
Tehran, her marriage and its challenges, her religious faith, and her
life as a mother and as an advocate for the oppressed. As a human
rights campaigner, in particular for women, children and political
prisoners in Iran, her autobiography is a must-read for anyone
fascinated by the life story and beliefs of a courageous and unusual
woman, as well as those interested in current events (especially those
of the Middle East), and those who want to know the truth about the
position of women in a Muslim society.
Born in 1947, Shirin Ebadi lives in Tehran where she trained in law,
obtained a doctorate from Tehran University and served as a judge from
March 1969 - the first woman to ever do so in Iran. Following the
victory of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979 she, and other female
judges, were dismissed from their posts and given clerical duties (in
Ebadi's case, in the very court she had presided over). She resigned in
protest and was, in effect, housebound for many years until finally, in
1992, she succeeded in obtaining a lawyer's license and setting up her
own practice. Since then she has represented various high-profile cases
including the families of political victims, journalists in relation to
freedom of expression, child custody cases and others. The recipient of
many prizes and accolades, she has also written many books and articles
and lectured on human rights all over the world.
