Nobel Surprise
Muslim Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi, a human rights and democracy activist, has been awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize. Ms. Ebadi has worked tirelessly to promote the rights of women and children in Iran and worldwide. She is the first Muslim woman to win the award.
"As a lawyer, judge, lecturer, writer and activist, she has spoken out clearly and strongly in her country, Iran, far beyond its borders," the awards committee said in the citation.
In her research and as an activist, she is known for promoting peaceful, democratic solutions to serious problems in society. She takes an active part in the public debate and is well known and admired by the general public in her country for her defense of freedom of speech and political freedom.
She is the founder and leader of the Association for Support of Children's Rights in Iran. Ebadi has written a number of academic books and articles focused on human rights. Among her books translated into English are The Rights of the Child. A Study of Legal Aspects of Children's Rights in Iran (Tehran, 1994), published with support from UNICEF, and History and Documentation of Human Rights in Iran (New York, 2000).
Ms. Ebadi served as Iran's first female judge during the Shah's era. But after the 1979 revolution, Islamic clerics ruled that women could not sit as judges. That interpretation of Sharia law is now coming under question and some clerics have called for allowing women judges.
At a news conference in Paris Ms. Ebadi said that in her view, "there is no difference between Islam and human rights."
The newly awarded Noble Laurite also added that she opposed any foreign intervention in Iran.
"The fight for human rights is conducted in Iran by the Iranian people and we are against any foreign intervention in Iran," she said.
In Rome the news was received with some disappointment where Pope John Paul II was being considered among the favorites to win the prize. A Vatican source said Pope John Paul II will send a message of congratulations to Ms. Shirin Ebadi.
In Washington, spokesmen at the White House and the State Department applauded the recognition for Ms. Ebadi.
European leaders appeared jubilant over the selection of an Iranian woman who works as an advocate for human rights. President Jacques Chirac of France called her an "exceptional choice," and Chancellor Gerhard Schroder of Germany celebrated her dedication to "tolerant coexistence and an understanding between cultures."
Conservatives in Iran who run the judiciary are cautious in recognizing this award and see it as outsiders now trying to intervene in Iranian politics. But Iran's reformist Government says it is "happy" with the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize.
"We are happy that an Iranian Muslim woman was qualified to be noticed by the world community for her activities in bringing about peace," official Government spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh said.
"We hope that we could use her expert views more in Iran."
For his part, Vice President Ali Abtahi says the award highlights the active role of Iranian women in trying to shape how the Islamic republic is run.
"I am very happy that an Iranian and above all a woman has won the Nobel Peace Prize," he said.
"The fact that a lawyer has won this prize gives us hope that the judicial system will change its methods."
Ms. Ebadi was selected among 165 nominees for the prize which comes with award money of $1.3m
Related Suggestions
I congratulate her for having the courage to try and help others less fortunate then herself and wish that I could shake her hand and tell her so
I congratulate her for having the courage to try and help others less fortunate then herself and wish that I could shake her hand and tell her so
Further more, what is it with you people who can only validate yourselves when handed a prize by some European ? Quite an inferiority complex we have dont we ? Take your insecurites elsewhere Chander, perhaps the good ol' sang parivar.
How do you know Muslims don't like the prize?
As usual, you did not even care to read my post #18430. Most of the muslims who wrote on this website did not like it. The entire muslim press is silent. The entire muslim polity is silent. No comments absolutely. Even AlJazeera made no comments. Saudi's probably represent her a 'woman with immoral character' by showing her without the headscarf. Read my post. Looks like the entire muslim world is in deep mourning (not really shock).
By the way, I have noted over the last few weeks that you have given the following countries you are writing from: Chechnya, Tikrit, Islamcity.com.
Strange.
- Muslims are happy that Mrs. Ebadi won the Nobel Prize. How do you know that Muslims are not happy?
Do you want Muslims to worship her? Remember Muslims only worship ONLY ONE TRUE PARTNERLESS GOD. We do not worship human beings like Christians do. And we do not make statues/idles, and worship them for few hours and then dump them into water like you HINDUS do.
Mr. Ramesh, it seems to me you have plenty of time to waste at Islamicity.com. Why don't you go to Bombay, India and solve your prostitution problem? Does not prostitution violate human rights? India has the 2nd highest HIV/AIDS problem right after AFRICA. Don't you think it would be wise to do something about it?
You are sitting in the WEST and chewing Lobster while millions of Hindus do not have anything to chew. Spend your time and resources to send them so that they can chew something. It is time for you to GROW UP!!!
You are welcome at Islamicity or other Islamic site, but I think you are wasting too much time here. You should be doing something meaningful. Remember my God, if not your God, will hold you accountable for how you spend you time. I do not think you have many years left so...wake up now ... grandpa "Starlight".
Well, no Hindu woman won a Nobel Peace Prize. if a Hindu womann had won it, you can rest assured that not only Hindu women but also Hindu men will be celebrating it in the streets, not going into mourning like muslims are doing it; I am also sure, in these circumstances, both, muslim women and men would have joined into celbrations. And Indian press would have a field day, not like muslim press which has not issued one single comment so far.
Hey, would Mrs Ebaji like to share her prize with a Hindu woman and see how hindus react?.
I am new to Islam. Regarding my hope to be shown the truth, I am grateful to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) for Muslim patience. Jazak Allahu khair.
Assalamu alaikum.
--Yahya Bergum
PS. It is my understanding that Muhammad Asad (may peace be upon him) promoted constitutional assurances of rights for women. For a sample of his writings, please refer to the article at www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0301-1827
You Hindus and your fake blood libel against Muslims is nothing but a vechicle to justify your hatred of a religion not based on caste. A look at the way you treat minorities in India speaks for itself. I'll say it again, stick to your regimen of cheesy Bollywood flicks instead of engaging in discussion on issues beyond the scope of your shallow understanding.
It seems that either islam and human rights are incompatible or muslim woman should not get any recognition. Probably she is a threat to Islam and its keepers (mullahs).
Arab News (Saudi Arabia) reported about the news with a beautiful smiling picture of Mrs Abadi, but surprisingly, no headscarf; how will that go in Saudi Arabia. Probably they will think that she is not a 'good muslim' and hence must be, at least ignored, if not issue a fatwa on her head.
Will she be invited for any kind of lectures in any of the muslim world? I have serious doubts about it.
I think the muslim world is shocked and scared of human rights issues. They have, instead of celebratining, have gone into deep mourning; how long will that mourning last? probably, a few centuries.
If the answer to above is yes. Then Mrs Ebadi rather than being congratulated for this award given by the Orientalists! should be reminded of the catastrophe she is asking for herself from Allah, so that she change her cause and embrace the true teaching of the Nobel Prophet. The issue here is clear When a decree is given by Allah Or his Messenger(Muhammad SAW) NO MUSLIM under any guise should have a second opinion nomatter how highly placed in Knowledge or Society. After all how much knowledge do we(the entire World population) have? Not even a drop of the ocean compared to the knowledge of Allah. It is clear therefore that we are limited to our reasoning. No women judges implies NO WOMEN JUDGES. To interprete it otherwise is to fall under the group describe by Allah in Quran 4:149 & 150.
The muslim should realise that he is not in this world for recognition by this or that, for the sake of materialism. He is here for one purpose only to worship Allah. And how do we achieve this? By giving true worship to Him and only Him alone. Obeying his commandments and following His final prophet wholeheartedly. This and only this can see us achieve our goals in life, including even the Nobel Laureate, only this time it will the final ticket to an everlasting bliss. May Allah continue to guide us to the straight path. Ameen.
I am somewhat surprised by the comments in this opinion posting from fellow Muslims who would bash Ms. Ebadi for standing up for justice, human rights and Islamic-based democracy for her ellow citizens in Iran.
Granted any "recognition" or "applause" from the Vatican and the Bush Administration should be taken with a grain of salt, I do wish that international Muslim advocacy groups would take this opportunity as a demonstration of how Muslims contribute to peace.
But whats the aim of behind giving this prize to muslim woman?
to enforce change in shariah law? to prohibit polygamy? to change divorce laws?
its matter to think about...
Anytime a member of the muslim community achieves something in the world my heart is overcome with joy. It is even more special that it happens to be a muslim woman. I believe it has been long overdue. Insha Allah, there will be more to come.
Although I think Shirin Ebadi was definitely deserving of the prize, I do not believe that is the sole reason the committee chose her. Ebadi has democratic views which coincide greatly with that of the Western world, therefore recognition of her political stance and personal views is being hilighted as to use her as an example for the rest of the Muslim world. In this way, she is being lauded and awarded for agreeing with the very views the West wants to enforce on the Muslim world. I am sure that Ebadi will use this opportunity to the benefit of the Muslims and the Ummah, Insha'Allah, and that she will bring to light many issues that have not been unearthed.
Salaam aleikum,
This award really means nothing. It is named after a guy who discovered the principles of the explosive dynamite. When you have nominees such as Bush and Sharon for this award, the whole thing becomes a cruel joke. Westernized Muslims or people who wish to meld kufr into Islam, i.e. preach that "Western style-democracy and Islam are one" etc. will find this award as the penultimate accomplishment for them. The last (acceptable) "Muslims" of note who won this were
Yasir Arafat and Anwar Sadat. Enough said.
First, congratulation to Ms. Ebadi for the award, I have nothing against her but I have doubt about the sincerity of the award. What is the motivation behind this crap? This will not happen if Iran is not a Muslim country. There are many of Palestinian women who are working for the same principle. They gave the award to Arafat before and look how they treated him.
This message is to the Iranians people! Please do not fall into the traps. Remember! The next stop for the American imperialist is Iran or Syria.
God Bless Her & the whole of mankind.
1) Anwar Sadat received the prize because he had recognized, made peace with Israel and destroyed the Arab cause;
2) Arafat had received the prize because he saved the soul of Israel from Intefadah. Basically he had played the role of a sub-contractor to Israel;
3) Today, the award was given to a lady who is advocating the rights of the people, however, indirectly these criminals of Nobel prize have chosen Iranian lady to put Iran on the map because of its nuclear activities. Remember, Iran is the only country that officially calls Israel as its arch enemy.
Amazing similaries. Israel is the common factor.
Finally, I'm glad Chirac and Shroder see this as a step towards tolerance, how about they extend some tolerance to Muslim girls in their respective countries who are being barred from education because of the way they dress ?