Ansary - Jewels of Allah : the untold story of women in Iran

A well-documented and persuasively written examination of the change in Iranian womens status under the countrys secular and religious governmentsmaintains an engaging tone that makes it easy for casual readers to follow the arguments.

KIRKUS REVIEWS

Knowing our history is knowing ourselves. Nina Ansary expertly reveals largely untold stories of the multifaceted women of Iran and their perseverance to overcome considerable obstacles.

ALISA MILLER, CEO, PUBLIC RADIO INTERNATIONAL (PRI)

I am a big fan of women speaking out, telling their stories, using their voicesand author Nina Ansary has used hers in an astonishing, important way. Her Jewels of Allah is brave, authentic and riveting. What a compelling example of why women NEED to tell their stories. Read this.

KATHY NAJIMY, ACTRESS/ACTIVIST

This must be included within the Essential Reading lists of all schoolsit is a vital historical account, a necessary and refreshed analysis particularly for our 21st Century culture of fear climate.

MARCELLA KARAMAT, CURATOR/FREELANCE WRITER, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Nina Ansarys book is a must-read for anyone hoping for a fuller understanding of the role of women and the womens rights movement in Iran. It is a much needed antidote to Western misconceptions.

SAN FRANCISCO BOOK REVIEW

The women of Iran have no greater champion than Nina Ansary, nor does anyone equal her in explaining the seemingly paradoxical expansion of womens education since the Iranian Revolution.

RICHARD W. BULLIET, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Nina Ansary, with clear and precise language, laser-like focus and deep knowledge, lifts the veil of news media neglect and ignorance hiding the experiences of women and girls in Iran. Womens eNews is delighted she regularly shares her insights and inside knowledge with its readers.

RITA HENLEY JENSEN, EDITOR IN CHIEF WOMENS ENEWS, NEW YORK

This is essential reading on Iran, and feminism, human rights, and social movements. The book turns itself into a archive of all the relevant figures, publications, and eras related to the history of women in Iran, and as a researcher and writer, I know I will refer back to it in the future.

MAHSA ALIMARDANI, INTERNET RESEARCHER AND IRAN EDITOR, GLOBAL VOICES.COM

This is a remarkable book. Nina Ansary explodes some of the myths and prejudices held about Iranian women across the centuries. This volume is an invaluable addition to the existing literature on the subject and a must read for all those who are interested in understanding Islam and feminisms and in the celebration of differences and diversities within the feminist movements.

BARONESS AFSHAR OF HESLINGTON, PROFESSOR, ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF YORK

Jewels of Allah: The Untold Story of Women in Iran is an important journey through time, amplifying the powerful voices behind the Iranian womens movement. Author Nina Ansary highlights the courageous women and their progressive steps forward throughout history. The book is an eye opener, from a misunderstood story to how womens empowerment really advanced. Its an enlightening and fearless journey thats important for women around the world to learn.

DEIRDRE BREACKENRIDGE, AUTHOR, SPEAKER AND CEO, PURE PERFORMANCE COMMUNICATIONS

Nina Ansary takes a fresh look at the womens movement in modern Iran; a century-long struggle for equality in a historic civilization, and one of the most vibrant feminist movements in the Middle East.

NEGAR MORTAZAVI, IRANIAN AMERICAN JOURNALIST AND ANALYST

An elegant and enlightening experienceJewels of Allah contains critical talking points, facts, and research that will empower its readers to more effectively understand the winds of change that are contributing to the empowerment movement of Iranian women.

YASAMIN BEITOLLAHI, DIGITAL MEDIA PROFESSIONAL & HUFFINGTON POST CONTRIBUTOR

You can wrap them up in cloths not of their choosing but their powerful spirit still shines through. The Iranian women have always found a way to express themselves, make their presence felt and impact the society. This all comes through Dr. Ansarys book which expertly highlights the challenges and the opportunities facing Iranian women during the secular Pahlavi dynasty and during the various presidencies of the current theocracy.

DR. FIROUZ NADERI, DIRECTOR FOR SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION AT NASAS JPL

Jewels
of Allah

THE UNTOLD STORY
OF WOMEN IN IRAN

Nina Ansary, Ph.D.

Revela Press
Los Angeles, California

Copyright 2015 by Nina Ansary
All rights reserved.

The images contained in this book are provided for commentary, example and reference as to the content herein. Every reasonable effort has been made to assess the identification and source of those images displayed throughout this book, and they are included for the readers reference and information where the same has been ascertained. In many cases the images are out of copyright or otherwise in the Public Domain. In all cases identification of the source or rights holder is attributed wherever possible, or unless the source was otherwise unable to be determined. Any information pertaining to the identification of those images which otherwise may have been unavailable by the author is welcomed, and every effort will be made to include the same where verified.

Cover art: Morteza Pourhosseini
Cover design: Yolanda Zuniga
Indexer: Under the Oaks Indexing

Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ansary, Nina.

Jewels of Allah : the untold story of women in Iran /Nina Ansary, Ph.D.
pages cm
Includes index.
LCCN 2015932626
ISBN 978-0-9864064-0-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-9864064-1-6 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-9864064-2-3 (eBook)
1. Women--Iran--History. 2. Feminism--Iran--History. 3. Womens rights--Iran--History. I. Title.
HQ1735.2.A76 2015 305.420955

QBI15-600085

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Revela Press LLC
RevelaPress.com
Los Angeles, California U.S.A.

This book is dedicated to my family, friends,
those who worked on and supported this book