Dancing to freedom in Iran
Many famous rights activists over decades have been known for expressing a mental liberation while in prison. Nelson Mandela sang Scottish ballads. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter from an Alabama jail in defense of anti-segregation protests. Anti-communist dissident V谩clav Havel wrote a treatise on human rights when the Czech playwright wasn鈥檛 thinking of his next play. China鈥檚 Liu Xiaobo wrote poems, such as one about God as 鈥渢he embodiment of love.鈥�
For Iran鈥檚 Narges Mohammadi, winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize and temporarily out of prison for medical care, her personal liberation 鈥� from torture, humiliation, and isolation 鈥� has been dancing.
Videos have surfaced in recent weeks showing her in Tehran鈥檚 Evin Prison rejoicing in dance and song. 鈥淣arges鈥檚 love for life, freedom and happiness is not something that can be taken away from her,鈥� Ms. Mohammadi鈥檚 brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
A trained singer in Persian classical music, 鈥淪he sings [and] dances with the other women in the prison whenever she gets the opportunity,鈥� the brother added.
In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Iran鈥檚 most famous activist said, 鈥淭he Evin women鈥檚 wing is one of the most active, resistant and joyful quarters of political prisoners in Iran.鈥� The dancing and singing has 鈥渒ept the hope of seeing the light of freedom and hearing its voice.鈥�
Her colleagues say Ms. Mohammadi鈥檚 best trait is not seeing herself as a victim. 鈥淲hatever punishment they impose on me,鈥� she told CNN, 鈥渋t makes no difference because I have my belief.鈥�
鈥淭he Islamic regime,鈥� she wrote in a book, 鈥渃annot separate a woman from her love for ... her God.鈥�
Women in Iran, many of whom choose not to wear head coverings, have been subjected to the most repression. Those sent to prison for claiming their freedoms in public find they can still express a freedom in their heart. For many, like Ms. Mohammadi, dancing is a place to start.
