Nina Shahriaree 

    At a time in the Middle East when women wore veils by law and the country, entirely ruled a group of Muslim men, under the strict Muslim law, curbing women's rights greatly, Tahirih was born. The year was about 1819, though records were destroyed in an attempt to wipe away her memory. During her lifetime, Tahirih would struggle against restrictive traditions that oppressed women, not allowing them to fully participate in social or religious life and would leave a lasting imprint in the minds of many in Middle Eastern culture, women and men alike. Although today there are some countries who are subject to Fundamental Islam and its often restrictive mandates, sometimes to an extreme, there is much to be said about this courageous and bold woman who stood out against the stark backdrop of oppression and sexism as took a stand a forerunner to the feminist movement in the Middle East. 

    As a child, Tahirih had a thirst for knowledge. She devoured books while most girls her age simply occupied themselves with dolls or housekeeping. This girl, however, was on to something that would shake the foundations of her Islamic society. At the age of seventeen she began to seriously study religion. Her mother, often angry with Tahirih, would say, "What is this business that you have with books? You'll find no use for them! It will only get you into trouble! Take a broom an learn to sweep! This is what you're good for Tahirih! You're only a woman!" However, Tahirih bore this with gentle acceptance of her mother's rules and never meant to cause any harm or upset her mother. Yet she continued to learn and read, spending time with her father discussing religion and books. 

    Rigid religious doctrines regulated education and the only subject worthy of pursuit was that of religion. Medical schools and engineering schools did not exist and theology was, for all intents and purposes, the only area one could study. Calligraphy and Poetry were studied but were tools for glorifying religious doctrine. Those who understood the Qur'an were considered well-educated and knowledgeable. Tahirih examined the Qur'an so extensively that she could quote from it and frequently challenged her father, a Mulla, or Muslim religious scholar. He held meetings in their home that excluded Tahirih because men and women were not permitted to be together at these meetings. Tahirih's father allowed her to secretly listen to their conversations, only while hiding behind a curtain and on the condition that her voice was not heard. As soon as all the men left, she would engage in deep conversations about the Qur'an that left her father wishing he had a son instead of a daughter. He thought to himself 'how could such a clever person, so witty and intelligent be a woman?' On one occasion, the men were attempting some passages, without understanding them. She challenged them and although she was right in her interpretation, she caused trouble for her father by and revealing herself and showing them to be in the wrong. 

    At this time women did not enjoy many of the rights and privileges that women do today. Even today, there is much room for improvement in the lives of women in many nations. At this time, in a small city in Iran, a group of men held an extremely important meeting that would decide whether or not they would follow the old Mohammedan laws. Suddenly, in the middle of the meeting, Tahirih came in without a veil. She knew that it could cost her her life but she felt this would be the only way she could get through to people. All the men covered their eyes, screaming as Tahirih triumphantly said, "Arise brothers, the Qur'an is fulfilled and a new era has begun! Am I not your sister, and you my brothers? Can you not look upon me as a real friend? Are you aware that this old custom of veiling the face was not enjoined by Mohammad? Have you never heard that the wives of the prophet himself, on their journeys, had their faces exposed? Do you not remember that in some matters, Mohammad was wont to tell his disciples to go and ask his wife? Let us emancipate our women and reform our society. Let us arise out of our graves of superstition and self[...]"

    For her act of rebellion, Tahirih was arrested and sentenced to death. While imprisoned she said, "You can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women!" Before her death she wore a white silk veil, which the guards removed from her face and wrapped it around her neck, brutally strangling her until her last breath. Then they took her body and threw it into an abandoned well where they hoped her remains would be forgotten, but her story would live on despite their efforts. She would no longer breathe the air of oppression, repression, subjugation, and tyranny, for she would take in her last breath in total freedom, with the knowledge that she died for something she believed in. Tahirih would instill courage and hope in the hearts of many women of her time and many women after her who have tried to make a difference in their society. Maybe a Tahirih amongst us will take a stand and once again fight for the emancipation of women in the Middle East.