News Headlines, English News, Today Headlines, Top Stories | Arth Parkash

Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent women's rights activist, delivered a powerful message from her prison cell in Tehran. The message, read in French by her 17-year-old daughter, Kiana Rahmani, was published on the official Nobel website.

In her message, Mohammadi expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which honored her "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran" in early October. She has been a relentless advocate for women's rights in Iran.

Critique of compulsory hijab and regime

Mohammadi strongly criticized the mandatory hijab (headscarf) enforced on women in Iran, stating that it serves as a tool of control and repression, crucial for the survival of the authoritarian religious regime. She pointed out the regime's 45-year history of institutionalized deprivation and poverty, built upon deception, intimidation, and lies.

ALSO READ: President Biden and First Lady host spooktacular 'Hallo-READ' Halloween event at White House

Narges Mohammadi is one of the leaders of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising in Iran. The movement began in response to the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, who passed away while in custody for not adhering to the strict Islamic dress code. Women in Iran have been protesting by removing their headscarves, cutting their hair, and taking to the streets.

Demand for democracy and human rights

In her message, Mohammadi emphasized the Iranian people's demand for democracy, freedom, human rights, and equality. She identified the Islamic Republic as the primary obstacle to these national aspirations and called for a transition away from the religious authoritarian regime through non-violent and unstoppable means.

Despite her 13 arrests, five sentences totaling 31 years in prison, and 154 lashes, Narges Mohammadi remains steadfast in her pursuit of a more just and equitable Iran. Her message from Evin prison resonates with a powerful declaration: "Victory is not easy, but it is certain." The means by which the message was smuggled out have not been disclosed.

ALSO READ: China and Russia unite in critique of US policies at Beijing Security Forum