Book Report

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Recommended: Human rights violations against women/men/children

What was your pre-reading impression of the subject and did it change afterwards?
“Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope” quickly caught my attention when searching for a book to read. Since my family is from the Middle East, I presumed my culture and background is similar to those individuals living in Iran. I was interested in learning the similarities and differences between my traditions and the Iranians way of life. In addition, I wanted to learn more about how the Iranian government is arranged and setup. Previously, I had heard the laws and regulations enforced in Iran are very strict, and that the Iranian people have limited freedoms. I assumed this book would give me an insight on the statutes Iranians have to adhere by. Furthermore, I was curious to learn how Islamic law was incorporated in the daily lives of the Iranian people.
Reading this autobiography, written by Shirin Ebadi, was an eye-opener. The author depicts the struggles women face when it comes to equality under the Islamic Republic. She educates her audience on the endeavors individuals have to encounter in order to obtain basic human rights. She does this by presenting a true account based on her life in Iran. She mentions how the conservatism due to Islamic law has a negative impact on society. However, she is a full advocate of Islam and believes Islam can be present in a democracy.
Studying this book, I learned that conservative Islam and Islamic jurists are the cause for the strict regulations interpreted in Iran. Women are being denied basic human rights, such as being forced to wear a scarf, or hijab, around their head. Political activists, lawyers, journalists, ethnic and religious minorities are constantly being targeted. Individuals ...

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...in her homeland, and fight for individuals’ freedom and rights.
As a determined individual fighting for her people, she was imprisoned in June 2000. The reason behind her incarceration was based on her recording a witness’s testimony involving the case of a young activist’s death. Through this experience, the author gives the readers an insight of a prison in Iran’s capital. By recounting this incident, the author informs her audience how far she is willing to go, in order to fight for her country’s women and children.
As far as personal beliefs are concerned, Ebadi covets for a temporal separation between religion and government. She recognizes Iran is a country in which both religion and government are interweaved. However, the author is tired of women’s limited rights, and them living in continuous terror of contravening decrees issued by the Islamic regime.

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