Since coming to India I have noticed many similarities between the Indian culture (language, gestures of politeness, etc.) with my own (a hybrid of Iranian-born parents and American schooling and up bringing). My husband often laughs when I tell people that I am Persian because other than the looks and the name, I am more fully an American. Unfortunately for him I have not inherited the great Persian cooking, nor the elegant style of dressing and grooming, nor even for that matter much of the language! I can barely speak a full sentence in Persian without having to use one or two English words (although my comprehension level is more fluent).
So, coming here... I have been inspired to make more of an initiative to understand my parents' culture and my heritage, especially since my 2-year-old daughter IS half Persian. This book Iran Awakening by Shirin Ebadi has been my first attempt at understanding a culture I know only vaguely.
This book was so intriguing! I had a difficult time putting it down and read this 208-page autobiography in about a day and a half! Shirin Ebadi is an extraordinary and brave woman
who as a lawyer defends the most vulnerable in cases that others refused to touch and whose great humani- tarian work earned her a nobel peace prize... the first given to an Iranian woman.
Shirin Ebadi writes about her family, her faith and her experiences before and after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. She paints a clear picture of how Iran was during the Shah's reign, how everyone had high hopes that the revolution would bring a more fair and just Iran, and how dismally disappointed most were with how things turned out. Ms. Ebadi tells of a fairly Westernized Iranian society during the Shah's reign... women dressing in mini skirts and wearing the latest trends in fashion and hair style, weeknight gatherings of college-aged friends both male and female in public places sipping coffee or tea, having wonderful conversations and fun, where universities were the breeding ground for intellectual stimulation and political protests. She also describes the Shah's lavish life style... spending much of the country's money in his own interest while the very poor and needy were left ignored... and of the SAVAK, the Shah's secret police who earned a reputation for its ruthlessness and brutality against anyone in opposition to the Shah's reign.
Ms. Ebadi studied law and before the revolution she was a high ranking judge respected among her peers. However after the revolution things drastically changed. The whole culture and every day life was different and people feared that they would be targeted because they would be perceived by the government (and their peers, some being spies) as being disloyal. Women were demoted or fired from high ranking jobs, forced to wear the hijab to cover their hair in public, and almost over night considered a second class citizen according to the new laws instituted by the new regime. Ms. Ebadi herself was demoted to legal secretary. However instead of just accepting this position, she decided to take on pro bono cases that other lawyers dared not touch for fear of becoming one among many on the government's death list. Intellectuals and anyone seeming to have anything critical to say about the regime were tortured, imprisoned, and/or killed... ironically, the same brutality and ruthless behavior of the despised SAVAK still existed even after the revolution ... only now headed by a different leader. The danger of her work proved even more dangerously real when she read her own name near the top of the government's death list.
I am amazed by this woman's bravery and staunch faith in a true justice system. She believes, as I recall, that religion and state is better kept separate... makes sense to me! I truly admire how she struggled every day to help people... as a mother I can't imagine the worries she had daily of her own safety and if her two daughters would be made victims to get at her. Every day wondering if it would be her last. But it seems hope and faith can truly make a person so strong as to overcome these things. To look forward and not allow "what ifs" to prevent you from working toward a greater good and higher goal. What is life then if not to strive to better yourselves... to better the world... and help your fellow (wo)man in need.
A book worth reading and sharing with others. I won't go into too much more detail because it's worth finding out for yourself.
Fairi's book rating: 4 out of 5 cups of coffee ;-)
In the past several years I have made many trips to various countries staying from 3 months to a couple years. And although I love travelling and experiencing other cultures and ways of living... the reality of it always hits me at some point. Being away from family can be difficult especially around birthdays and holidays. But I've been lucky that my family (mom, siblings and siblings-in-law) have always been so wonderful about making the long distance not so distant by calling, emailing, blogging and especially sending care packages for birthdays! 
