196 Books: Iran

 Jewels of Allah by Nina Ansary

Here we have Iran:

And here we have the summary:

The popular narrative about women's lives in Iran over the last forty years goes something like this:

"During the Pahlavi Monarchy, women were on an upward trajectory. In a nation on the cusp of modernity, women actively participated. They were given the right to vote and free to be in public without veils. They wore miniskirts on university campuses. Then came the Islamic Revolution in 1979, with Ayatollah Khomeini at the helm. The burgeoning freedoms for women were extinguished. The veil was required and institutions were segregated by gender. The Islamic Republic had thus achieved its goal of resurrecting the image of the traditional Muslim woman."

The problem with popular narratives is that, despite their convenient half-truths, the real story is more complicated, unexpected, and less tidy.

Inspired by author Nina Ansary's scholarly journey, Jewels of Allah is a provocative roller coaster ride that shatters the stereotypical assumptions and the often misunderstood story of women in Iran today. Highlighting many courageous female leaders and advocates throughout Iran's history, the book illuminates the unanticipated consequences of the Islamic Revolution and the unexpected twists and turns leading to a full-blown feminist movement within a post-revolutionary patriarchal society.

This is another one that I knew would take a while to read because it's essentially a research paper turned book. But I thought it was important, not only to get the history, but especially with the protests going on in Iran today, as well as the fight for women's rights across the world. And let me say, although I had to push myself through it sometimes, it was so worth it. 

I of course see some parallels with what's happening in the US today with the question of reproductive rights. Here's one similarity: "a majority of traditional religious women, and even some educated women who had benefitted from changes under the Shah, supported Ayatollah Khomeini and were a contributing factor in the 1979 collapse of the Pahlavi monarchy." Let me explain: when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it took away federal protection for abortion. In some states this means it goes to a vote, in others the governor made a decision. In some states, this means prosecution for miscarriages, the ability to turn in (and even get a reward at times) a woman getting an abortion and anyone helping her, women being denied medications because they can be considered abortion causing, and even a ban on birth control. Having had 3 miscarriages and recently been put on one of those "abortion causing" medications, I find all of this horrific. But there are women that support it. Even women my age. It's...well I wish I had some big argument or revelation but I just find it very sad. 

Here's another example: "Most of the Pahlavi-era changes affecting women were not embraced or accepted by the majority of females from traditional backgrounds. Their families were vehemently opposed to the new standards, finding them offensive and in conflict with cultural mores. Thus, wives, sisters, and daughters were prohibited from partaking of the new freedoms." Of course, this is much more extreme than what's happening in the US. But in comments on something I put on Facebook in support of a reproductive rights proposal in my area, two friends were more concerned about parental rights and young women getting help from others than the impact on the girl or why she might feel the need to seek help elsewhere. Ugh, sorry, I'm all worked up on this topic lately. I'll try to keep the focus on the book. 

Here's another universal one: religion. "While some would label it heresy, many traditional Muslim women are posing a radically earnest question: Could a reinterpretation of passages in the Koran that are used to justify the inferior position of women be a means to women's emancipation?" Religious texts are interesting because they've been translated and interpreted many times, and people can find any number of interpretations in every passage. So maybe it's time to take another look and stop hating on women so much. 

What's also interesting is Ansary talks about ancient Persia and how much more highly regarded women were. They were political and military leaders, and had maternity leave and equal pay. It's crazy now that so many people think women can't be good leaders or run a country, when you look far back in history and that's exactly what they did. 

And here are some passages that just infuriated me. I'll try to keep the spicy comments to a minimum. 

"There was an overall social stigma attached to women receiving an education, as the general belief among clerical leaders was that education for girls was not only against Islamic teaching but a threat to society as well. Many also believed that women did not have the capacity to become educated because their brains were incapable of retaining knowledge."

"1. Woman is a being who, similar to a child, must be educated by a man. 2. Salvation of woman is conditional upon her absolute obedience to her husband. 3. The duty of a woman at home is provision of conditions that are conducive to her husband's tranquility. 4. The aim of matrimony consists of gratification of the husband's sexual desires. 5. Woman must at all times be abashed, except in bed. 6. Woman must not speak during meals."

"The reason for excluding women is that God has not given them the capacity for taking part in politics and electing the representation of this nation. [They are] the weaker sex, and do not have the same power of judgment that men have." 

Sooo...which is it? Either women are stupid and need to be treated like children, or are dangerous and need to be handled. How can it be both?

There's also a lot of discussion of school. At one point schools were desegregated gender-wise, and a lot of traditional families wouldn't send their girls to school. It was thought that girls would get better access and educational opportunities if they were in school with boys, but it turned out the majority of the attention was still given to boys and it further lowered the girls' self esteem, as well as keeping those traditional girls out of the classroom altogether. 

But, there is a bright spot. Women (and some men) are still fighting. "The following statements in the 2008 documentary Generation Tehran indicate that 'despite restrictions in every aspect of their lives, Iranian youth exhibit progressive aspirations': -Our freedom should neither violate the rights of others, nor should it be confined to boundaries that limit us from improving ourselves. -Over here only your thoughts are allowed to be free. -You will never be able to successfully define people by a piece of land." 

"Through their advocacy, commitment, and sacrifice, countless Iranian women (and men) continue to demonstrate why religion must evolve--and dispense with its absolutist tendencies--if it is to exemplify moral validity."

Ansary ends the book by highlighting incredible Iranian women who have made an impact over the years. I'll leave you with this quote from Laleh Pourkarim that I found absolutely beautiful: "Just because it is black in the dark, doesn't mean there is no color."