Iran: Nobel Prize Winner Ebadi at Stanford

We should know more about Iran, and therefore we are especially grateful to Nushin Namazi for sending us Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate -Shirin Ebadi's lecture at Stanford, together with her own excellent comments:

Dear Professor Hilton,

As promised, here is a report on Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate who gave a lecture to a standing room only Memorial Auditorium at Stanford, May, 2004. Ebadi currently works as a lawyer and professor at the University of Tehran and is an advocate of human rights in Iran.

It is important that WAISERs know that Ebadi’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech (attached below) angered Iranians living in exile because while she focused on human rights violations around the world, she was reticent about the torture and human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran (“IRI”). She spoke of Islam’s tolerance, yet over these past 25 years, her own country – professed to be the epitome of an “Islamic” state– has shown anything but Islamic tolerance. Khomeni’s black and bloody revolution opened a Pandora’s box of religious deviance where an entire nation has been subjugated to 25 years of oppression, torture and economic malaise. In her speech, Nobel Peace Prize winner Ebadi made no mention of the many young Iranian men and women –mere students like those at Stanford– who have been brutalized and caged by the IRI for simply voicing their opinions. Instead she cried out for the plight of the al-Qaida terrorists jailed in Guantanamo where they reside under the watchful eye of the world human rights groups. Perhaps one could argue, her platform wasn’t one of political finger-pointing. But then, she was not remiss in impugning the United States for “violating the universal principles and laws of human rights by using the events of 11 September and the war on international terrorism as a pretext.” Is it not un-noble of a Nobel Peace laureate who lives in a glass house to throw stones? Could it be that she indeed is a propaganda machine for the IRI as many Iranian television pundits and academics in exile seem to believe?

In her speech, Ebadi also spoke about “the discriminatory plight of women in Islamic states,” including women in her own country of Iran. She blamed the injustice toward women not on Islam but on the historical “patriarchal and male-dominated culture prevailing in these societies.” Again this worldly peace laureate failed her duty to her prize. She failed to inform the world that more than 25 years ago in her own country– during the reign of the Late Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, King of Iran– Iranian women faced no “discriminatory plight.” She failed to mention that it was under the decree of the Pahlavi Monarchy's White Revolution of 1963 that women in Iran were granted freedom to study, vote and become candidates for election because it was a regime that tolerated all races, genders and religions in the same tradition as King Cyrus, the Great. And she failed to mention that she too was the beneficiary of the Pahlavi Regime’s White Revolution, that after obtaining a law degree from University of Tehran, at the young age of 28, she became President of the city court of Tehran and became one of the first female judges in Iran from 1975-1979, until she was stripped of her post by Ayatolla Khomeini and the IRI.

Why did Ebadi fail to acknowledge her past? Why did she fail to disclose to the world that in her own pre-1979 Muslim and Middle-Eastern country a viable women’s rights paradigm existed, which mollified any conflict with the “historical patriarchal culture” that she blames for discrimination of women in her country today and since 1979? There are many “whys.” Perhaps she was afraid to speak the truth for fear of repercussions from the IRI? But are Nobel peace prizes given to cowards? Perhaps, then, Ebadi failed to acknowledge her past because she herself was among the cur that bit the hand of the Shah of Iran who fed them? She was, after all, along with the majority of the Iranian educators zealot supporters of the Ayatolla Khomeini, who whence he came to power fittingly called women educators (responsible for inciting students against the Pahlavi Monarchy) “no more than common whores” to be covered by the veil.

On this basis, Iranians in exile have called her a “liar, a pawn, a traitor…”

Earlier this year, Ebadi began a lecture series across the US. Her lecture at UCLA a few weeks prior to that at Stanford aroused strong verbal protest. She was heckled and called a “tool of Islamic Republic of Iran, a propaganda machine for IRI, and a quid pro quo bribe from the European Union to the Islamic Republic of Iran in exchange for cheap oil.”

Given her UCLA experience, she presented a vastly improved lecture at Stanford. She delivered her talk in Farsi, which was translated into English by Abbas Milani, visitng Professor and a fellow at the Hoover Institute. The lecture was sponsored by ASSU speakers bureau, Persian Students Association - whose mission is to promote understanding of Persian culture and foster connections among other groups, social support for Iranian students.

Below is her talk:

On Universities:

The university is the real sanctuary of the intellect, the guiding light of humans. Of people who have dedicated their lives to humanity. Of people whose pride is not in their bank accounts but in the number of books they have published. Of people who boast about the students they have trained and not about their worldly appearances. Many Iranian students have been at this university. I am grateful that you have so generously shared your knowledge with my countrymen. Also, some of our best Iranian professors teach at this university. These professors and students are in fact cultural emissaries of Iran in America. There is no doubt that familiarity with other cultures will pave the way for future global peace. Of course, if such interaction is only one way, then it has no purpose and it leads to the eventual destruction of some nations.

Editorial: It is puzzling that Ebadi who calls herself a cultural emissary from Iran and not a politician, fails to educate the world about Iran’s contributions to world civilization particularly Iran’s pre-Islamic history. About 1600 years ago, during the Sassanian’s dynasty, the first university was established in Iran called Jondi Shahpoor, in Shooshtar and Tisfoon (which is now in Iraq) –the White Castle where the Sassanian kings would invite and give sanctuary to exiled Greek philosophers where there were daily philosophical debates. About 400 years ago, Mola Sadra established the first Medical University in Shiraz where they taught chemistry, physics, and biology. There were three requirements in order for students to enter into this university which was tuition free: you should not study in this university for money, not for obtaining a rank or a job. The student has to have as his aim a passion for learning and understanding. Art for Art, Science for Science.

On Iran, its identity and its resistance to Arabization:

Iran can only survive through its culture and by maintaining its own music, painting, mores, literature, and language. It is important for us to transmit this culture to the next generation in the same way that it was afforded to us, as it has been given in oral tradition to us.
What happened to the Egyptian culture? Once the hegemonic force of its time, the Egyptian culture was so suddenly transformed and conquered that there is little left of its culture and language, but we have succeeded in preserving Iran. (standing ovation!!)

We accepted Islam, but we did not lose our identity. In some parts of the country, people still speak Pahlavi, the old language of the pre-Islamic Iran. We must beware not to lose our ancestors heritage, not to lose our national identity and become merely separate individuals. (standing cheer) The influence of cultures on one another must not result in the transformation of one culture into another. Different cultures can search for commonalities with other cultures while at the same time maintaining their own unique natures. They can identify the common rules of humanity and agree upon the rules to achieve those goals.

Editorial: During this portion, she received a standing ovation from the audience. Iranians have been fighting for centuries to hold onto their culture and language ever since the onslaught of the Arabs fourteen hundred years ago. Although Ebadi states that Iran has maintained its culture, she fails to describe the culture and language, and traditions which originate from the time the teachings of Zoroaster had taken deep root in the soil of Iran which was at the same time that the Jews had left Egypt and were carried up into captivity at Babylon (586-536 BC), where they became acquainted with the “law of the Medes and Persians…”and adopted and incorporated Zoroasterian principles into the Torah. Ebadi failed to mention Iran’s greatest contribution to humanity: The good and ethical religion of Zoroaster whose teachings were adopted by Cyrus the Great who founded the first world empire, known as the Achaemenian empire based on the Zoroasterian doctrine of freedom, benevolence, tolerance, and progress; a universal religion which knows no sex, race, color, or national barriers. Upon conquering Babylon, Cyrus issued the first International Human Rights Charter 2500 years ago and this charter hangs in the United Nations today.

Ebadi continues to state that democracy is the natural tendency of developing nations which is thwarted by despotic regimes and for the first time she actually cites the Islamic Republic of Iran as an example but unfortunately includes America as well to the dismay of many Iranians who have objected to her Anti-American comments and believe that it is inappropriate of her to criticize a country that is the beacon of freedom and democracy and that by doing so she is acting as an agent of Islamic Republic of Iran and being the politician she claims she is not!!!

On Democracy and Human Rights: Ebadi indicts Islamic Republic of Iran

Democracy and human rights are the common needs of all cultures and human societies.
Those who use the pretext of cultural relativism to ignore the need of democracy and human rights are in fact reactionary bullies who want to hide their despotic nature behind a mask of culture under the guise of national or religious cultures.

Unfortunately, recently national security has been the newest excuse for breaking human rights.
Fighting terrorism is no doubt a just and legitimate cause, but this fight must be conducted in a humanitarian and just manner.

The danger of national security must not be so exaggerated to become an excuse for suppressing every voice of opposition. Constrained through propagating the kinds of conspiracy theories, or by creating imaginary foes or by exaggerating the real enemies. This kind of imitation can be seen in some western countries including the United States and some other countries like the country of Iran.

It is under these circumstances that the work of human rights activists becomes even harder. In spite of limitations, in spite of threats, they have paid with their lives to make human rights an active issue, and making people everywhere enjoy their human rights.

In Iran, as a result of the ongoing struggle for democracy, a number of human rights activists and those fighting for democracy are now in jail. We remember and honor individuals like (She names about 20 political prisoners—Sadej Ali Jani, Gangi, Aghajam Poursand, Mohammad Seerjan, Parvaneh Forouhar, Karimpour Shirazi …) who are imprisoned only because of their energetic efforts to bring freedom to Iran. And I also remember and honor the memory of those martyred for the cause of freedom in Iran as well as many others of those in years past who have paid with their lives for freedom.

Editorial: After naming the Iranian political prisoners, Ebadi received another standing ovation from the audience. Again this was the first time she has mentioned these political prisoners and it is in response to pressure from several Iranian Television Stations that her silence betrays the very spirit for which she was given an award. She then turned to the students at Stanford and encouraged them to ask questions:

On Quest for Knowledge and Importance of Questioning and Doubting:

Now I have a few words for the students, my beloved children.

The search for knowledge is never ending, we can never rest on our laurels and cease our attempts to learn more. Knowledge becomes more important when accompanied by rationalism. The most important element of rationalism is doubt and questioning. Never simply accept the answers that you have been offered. Seek more effective and more advanced responses.
Remember that today’s scientists are the children of Descartes who said I doubt therefore I am.
Doubt everything, doubt the news that you receive. Never accept the political news only from one source. Always search for alternative sources. The daily news is one of the most effective methods of brainwashing.

If we leave our minds at the mercy of this group or that group, this party or that party, this ideology or that ideology, this religion or that religion, we will surely become the victim of the curse called brainwashing. Others will shape our minds and our thoughts without our knowledge.
Thus, if you are a Moslem, or any other religions, ask questions of other religions as well and evaluate the answers you receive and choose the one whose answer you find most convincing.
If you are a member of a party do not just take a part in that parties thoughts, visit other parties other areas so that you can finally find the best solution to our problems. Never become dogmatic about your knowledge, dogmatism is the first step towards fundamentalism.

Always be prepared to accept that you might be wrong, always be willing to accept the possibility that the news you have is wrong.

When it comes to news, particularly political news, never limit yourself to American sources, try to consult other sources.

Compare all they have to say, use your rational mind to appraise them and then will you understand what is truly happening in the world and only then can you look at if you could have avoided many of today’s unfortunate events.

Editorial: Although Ebadi references Socrates, and Descartes, she failed to mention Zoroaster, the Iranian philosopher whose philosophy laid the foundation for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and whose entire Gathas are a series of songs in the form of questions to God about human nature, society, good, evil, joy, (e.g. What is joyous? what is wholesome? What is wise? etc).
Zoroaster was the discoverer, or at least the uncoverer, of individual morals; the very evolution of the most fundamental and therefore eternal notions of right and wrong, is demonstrated in the original Gathas which date to 3000 to 6000 BC. The Hebrew scriptures pay tribute, the more worthwhile because unconscious and even involuntary, to the sterling merit of Zoroaster’s rules of conduct, when they speak of the law of the Medes and Persians as one “which altereth not.” These rules and religious precepts in which they were laid contain so many things that are found in Christian and Jewish creed and practice. They came into existence centuries ahead of Judaism and Christianity and in fact are the relics of the race from which sprang the religions of Greece, of Rome, of Germany, of Scandinavia, and in short of European countries and other places Europe has colonized.”

Ebadi then provided an explanation for the rise in religious terrorism in the Middle East and blames it on US Policy 20 years ago which was formed during the Carter Administration and its decision to support the Europeans in deposing the Pahlavi regime.

On 9/11 and its root cause: U.S. policy during the Carter Administration to support Islamic fundamentalism in lieu of Nationalism

The tragic events of September 11th will not be forgotten by history, any human being should feel pain at what happened that day. But I want to take you back in history to about 20 years before, to the time before the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was then the foreign policy to rely on religious and particularly fundamentalist governments in its struggle against communism. It was posited that only dogmatic faith in god and in religion could stop the spread of communism in the world. It was based on this analysis that U.S. policy funded fundamentalist and Islamic movements like the Taliban. In those days, America wished to fight its foes through Islamic fundamentalists. And it was through the creation and our help of Maddrasses (schools) through which the Taliban has spread. Even the United Nations refused to recognize Taliban, ?but America did? The Taliban went on to rule Afghanistan for a few years and what transpired in that country needs no retelling.

But in the early years, the Taliban was consistently supported by the United States when suddenly the relations stopped. This started the theorists seeing the clash of civilizations that continues today in the fight against terrorism.

Editorial: Here, some Iranians are troubled by her failure to mention the European’s role and its strong support of the IRI over the past 25 years in exchange for cheap oil, gas, and access to natural resources of Iran!! On January 4, 1979, Jimmy Carter, then President of U.S.A., the German Chancellor Hemut Schmidt, the British Prime Minister Leonard Calaghan and the French President Valery Giscard D’Estaing met in Guadeloupe, where they decided to support a regime change in Iran—i.e. to support Khoemeni and his Islamic fundamentalism—the Axis of Evil and international terrorism!! What irony that the 2002 Nobel peace prize was bestowed on Jimmy Carter –the very man who laid the foundation for 9/11!!! In contrast, the man who stabilized the Middle East and was instrumental in establishing peace between Arabs, Egypt and Israel and whose regime was first to recognize Israel and establish economic relations with Israel and during whose regime Iranian Jews flourished and were given top positions—Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi—a nationalist, a humanitarian, and an economist --was globally vilified and portrayed as a dictator and forced into exile!! Why? Why unilaterally blame America? Why conceal the involvement of the Europeans ??

On Terrorism in Age of Globalism:

Not only the countries in the Middle East but all countries suffer the plight of terrorism. Today, we live in the age of globalism, for better or for worse, globalism has made war and peace a global phenomenon. Without being a party to a war you awaken to realize you have been engulfed by this conflict. Many years earlier, the United States offered its support to undemocratic governments. 10 years later, a number of innocent people died in Spain. The fate of humanity is now one single entanglement.

Helping undemocratic governments is like pointing a gun at yourself and pulling the trigger.
It is my fervent hope that the United States and other western powers will not once again decide to support undemocratic governments.

On the other hand, democracy is not an accident that can take place over night. It is not a gift that can be offered overnight to anyone. Democracy is a part of a historic progress and it must follow its own evolutionary path.

On U.S. Policy in Iraq:

If a country claims to defend democracy in a despotic society, even if you accept that as the premise, you cannot use the pretext of democracy to militarily invade another country.
Those who breach of democracy and human rights must be forced to comply with the United Nations. Only then is the struggle legitimate and defensible.

Editorial: In this regard, most Iranians outside of Iran and even inside of Iran disagree with her and support the U.S. effort in Iraq as a legitimate action given United Nation’s inaction due to European Union’s opposition to removing Sadam’s regime. Sadam has been a bad neighbour and is the 21st Century Hitler of the Middle East (e.g. genocide of the Kurds, etc..). They also state that Sadam’s government would have been removed more quickly had the European Union supported the United States and there would have been fewer casualties and less incentive for international terrorists to interfere in the process. Iranians support President Bush in this action and were dismayed to hear Ebadi’s comments on U.S. Policy in Iraq. Why is the world not united in the fight to liberate Iraq and the Middle East from terrorist governments?

Access to Education following 9/11:

We are all passengers on the same ship and this ship is headed towards a greater civilization but if any part of the ship is downed it will hurt our progress. The fate of humanity is entangled; we cannot just take the benefits of the globe for ourselves. We cannot speak of globalism and deny some people a share of knowledge. The worst sin of science is the kind of jealousy that has become all too prevalent since September 11th. After the tragic events of Sept 11th, pursuing education in some of the newer fields like communications, nuclear, electrical engineering has become difficult for students from outside America such as Iran. Students already engaging in these fields have received notice that they must stop after getting their next degree. Some of the other western countries have not officially set such limits but they in fact do not admit students from outside for these newest technological fields.

Perpetrators of international terrorism versus Islam, Christianity, and Judaism

If we see the world as a global village we must then share everything we see in that village, including knowledge. Let us remember that because of the errors of one or a few groups have engaged in violence under the guise of Islam, we must not use that to not allow Islamic people to engage in knowledge. Islam is opposed to terror and violence. Let us not consider the acts of one individual or one government as the legacy of Islam, let us not hold Islam responsible for it.

Just as we did not consider Christianity responsible for the acts in Bosnia, we did not hold Christianity responsible. Similarly, ignoring numerous resolutions of the United Nations by Israel and other actions will not be accounted for Judaism.

Separate the thoughts of individual human beings from the religions and civilizations they come from.

Focus on Commonality between Cultures:

Cultures are not at clash, in fact they share many common points. Let us talk of points of continuance, not of conflict.

Let us never legitimize war as no one arises victorious from it.

I am deeply saddened by the death of American soldiers in Iraq, I hope that soon your children will be coming home safe and sound. I am also deeply grieved and surprised by the news about the treatment of the Iraqi prisoners. I ask myself, how can American civilization legitimize such behavior. I remind you that the international declaration of human rights was ratified with the extensive help and support of Eleanor Roosevelt. And now, American politicians, the children of Americans must apologize for the actions that have gone against the spirit of this great mother, Eleanor Roosevelt.

I wish for everyone in the world peace and security and I hope that your children soon come home to their homes in the hopes of peace.

Editorial: Here once again she focuses on the abuse but does not acknowledge President Bush and the US Military’s condemnation of the acts of a few deviant military men who are swiftly being punished and court marshaled—an unprecedented action for a nation during war to punish its own offenders.

Q&A following lecture. Dr. Milani read a few questions for Dr. Ebadi. Although the audience was asked to submit questions. She has been criticized for censoring questions from the audience and only responding to a set of preapproved questions.

QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?
My favorite pastime is cinema and movies.

Do you believe that there must be separation of church and state?
I emphasize in democracy and I believe in the rule of the majority. And thus in a democratic society, if they want to have it, then state and religion must be separated.

Over last 100 years, if you had a choice, which man or woman of history would you like to have been in the place of?
I have no desire to be in the place of someone who lived a hundred years ago because I would be dead.

How can you provide role models for children in the future?
Two weapons - knowledge and self confidence, if children have those two things, they shall succeed.

Homosexuality in Iran?
I’m a lawyer and I’ll tell you what the laws are. Homosexuality between men is a crime in Iran and can be punishable by death. Homosexuality amongst woman is a crime and its punishment is a few lashes.

What do you like to read?
Because I have to hear people’s problems, I only read novels and poetry.

Who is your favorite author? Mohammadi (author of Lizard)

How can we create more workable unity amongst people who have different beliefs among religion and where can this unity and cooperation begin?
All we have to do is learn how to tolerate the views opposite our own. The more we can do this, the more we can tolerate. We must beGIN this new level of tolerance today.

How can a woman in your position make tangible changes to conditions of Iranians?
Let me begin by showing my gratitude to the women of iran. 63% of college students in iran are women. Iranian women have been searching for equality. Iranian feminists have already begun to make great strides. This cause does not belong to me alone, but it belongs to all iranian women who have long fought for freedom.

How do you perceive the future, are you optimistic or pessimistic?
I am as a rule an optimist. But I also must be an optimist, if I am not an optimist I cannot be effective and continue my work.

What have you done since winning the award to hear about the release of prisoners in Iran?
In the first press conference I had, only two hours after winning the award, I requested the release of prisoners from Iran. In every speech since I have repeated this demand. I also defend some of the political prisoners in Iran. Some people have asked me, why have their been no political prisoners have been freed. Unfortunately I didn’t get the golden key when I was given the NOBEL award.

Do you think that the United States might have made a deal with the Iranian regime?
I am not a politician and I do not have political analysis of this situation, I have no knowledge of these compromises. You must ask those in charge.

Ronald Hilton - 8/23/02