Iranian dissident Akbar Ganji explains why Iranian Islam and democracy can co-exist, and how badly they fail to do so.
Recommendation
The author of this collection of short essays was imprisoned in his native Iran for advocating universal human rights based on freedom from pain, fear and intimidation. Akbar Ganji, dubbed Iran’s “most famous dissident,” distills his arguments into a few pivotal points that are openly, clearly idealistic – even more so in light of the policies of Iran’s rulers. Ganji’s essays are not practical, but philosophical, although he is very down-to-earth when he describes the plight of Iranian women. getAbstract recommends them to those who are interested in finding out more about Ganji and, to a much lesser degree, learning more about Iran’s political environment.
In this summary, you will learn
- Who Akbar Ganji is;
- Why he believes that pain provides the philosophical basis for human rights;
- Why universal human rights must be advanced in Iran;
- How women are treated in Iran; and
- How human rights and Islam can coexist.
Summary
About the Author
Akbar Ganji, a former Iranian military commander and investigative reporter, is a noted dissident. He was jailed for six years in Iran for advocating human rights. Since his release in March 2006, he has been active with the human rights movement outside Iran.
