Today I heard Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi speak about the laws and policies in the US, in her own country (Iran), and around the world – and the ways in which they contribute to peace and human rights or promote war. The stark differences in views toward women and children contribute to very different policies.
I had never heard the Iranian perspective on these issues before, and so I found it fascinating to hear her thoughts and how she wished that things would change. I wasn’t aware before of the many men and women in Iran who are trying to establish more equality, democracy, and peace. She said that they realize that improving the situation in Iran is needed, but that it is the responsibility of Iranians alone and has nothing to do with foreign military troops. She said even a threat of a military attack would significantly worsen the efforts for human rights in Iran. [To applause from the audience.]
“We are fully aware that democracy and human rights can only flourish in a sound and peaceful environment.”
“There is no doubt that Saddam Husein was obviously a dictator. But I have a question for you. Was he the only dictator in the world? Unfortunately the world is full of those people. Perhaps the only difference between Saddam and the other dictators is that he sat on a lot of oil.
So the Iranian people understand that the problems in the government will not be solved by foreign military force. Long live the friendship between the people of Iran and the United States!” [Applause]
She talked about the different interpretations of Islam, and her belief that using Islam 
as a pretext to enforce will upon the people is wrong. She said against the government there is a weight of Islamic intellectuals who believe that they can come up with an interpretation of Islam that promotes peace. She said Islam is open to very different interpretations, and gave as an example the varying status of women across the Islamic world (Saudi Arabia where women can’t even drive vs. Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan where they have had women presidents). She said people in the Middle East are demanding an interpretation of Islam that demonstrates it is compatible with human rights and democracy.
i’m glad you got to see her speak – i wish i’d been able to be there too. it’s scary to me how little we all really know about each other. people hear one thing about americans, americans hear one thing about iran, and even some of those people who are working towards peace don’t seem to be fully convinced that islam is actually a religion of peace.
for awhile i’ve been convinced that war is only a much expanded version of what happens between two people when they argue. reading your post only convinces me of this even more. one thing i read into your post is a misunderstanding between 2 governments and people’s – iran and the u.s. what do they (the iranians) need? what do we (the americans) need? how can we get the needs of both countries met so war doesn’t start? and that’s just 2 countries – of course in the face of a war it isn’t just those two involved who are affected. just as when 2 people argue – there is always fallout in some way – people seeking support from others, someone taking sides, etc.
i don’t think it’s as simple as “why can’t we just all get along” because in getting a long we have to have a greater understanding. but, i also don’t think that war is inevitable either.
I believe that most of the people would like to live in peace and have equality and democracy. But before asking to have those basics, I would like to ask, Do the people of that country (Islamic countries) have the culture of equality or culture of democracy? Do they really know what does democracy or equality mean? I bet most of them do not really know, even most of those who brag and ask to have democracy or equality they just want to copy what exist in other countries.
Unfortunately, freedom, democracy and equality are foreign concepts in that part of the world.
Of course I do agree that implementing such things must be internal issue inside the country itself and it must be achieved without any external intervention, but one thing must be considered which is achieving it gradually because of the social acceptance.
Most Importantly, what kind of freedom, democracy or equality they are looking for? Obviously the freedom or the democracy in US can’t be the same in Jordan or Iran, simply because there is something called culture and traditions which are presenting the identity of the country.
I really wish if we all were one race have the same culture with one religion and one language, the would be far better.
Brooke, I like your thoughts. They remind me a lot of a book called “The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict” – which echoes a lot of what you say.
Abdelrahman, I am so thankful to hear your thoughts too. Your thoughts made me thing about a book by the Nobel prize winner Amartya Sen (Development as Freedom) in which he emphasizes the importance of the cultural perspectives in everything from government to economic relations. He stated, “The issue is not whether culture matters …it must be, given the pervasive influence of culture in human life. The real issue, rather, is how – not whether – culture matters” (Sen, 2004, p.1). Sen listed numerous examples of the ways in which culture must be taken into consideration when involved with development and development policies. For example, he recognizes that “cultural influences can make a major difference to work ethics, responsible conduct, spirited motivation, dynamic management, entrepreneurial initiatives, willingness to take risks, and a variety of other aspects of human behavior which can be critical to economic success [and democratic success]” (p. 4).
The only thing I disagreed with is your last statement – yes, it might be a little easier if everyone was the same race/religion/language, but I personally think the diversity is what can spark learning, richness of life, and innovation (not just conflict). If the differences can only be channeled right.
Hi Clint,
I do agree that external forces have created more tension and problems than before they came in. For example Iraq will never be the same and its ruined for many and many decades to come. Look to Africa, before the white “discovered” we had our own civilization and way of life. But with their comming the whites have influenced our way of life completely and we are now totally confused because we do not know who we are, what doe we stand for and how to get it. The donations and grants that we have been receiving from elsewhere have also done so much harm. We have reached a level to ask for assistance to feed our own children, dig pit latrin toilets and clean our compounds. This is a total abdication of our responsibilities and its a real shame for Africa. Perhaps its the time to go back to our basic and discover our selves once again and start afresh. The quesion is which rat will take the responsible to tie the bell on the neck of a cat? Will this ever happen?