Dr. Dennis Potthoff, coordinator of American Democracy Project, 308.865.8813, or potthoffd@unk.edu
“True Islam: Human Rights, Faith and Women” is the topic of the E.N. Thompson Series presentation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
In her presentation, Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi will tie the efforts she has made on behalf of women and religious minorities to the world of religious freedom, while focusing on the importance of human rights.
The debate is being simulcast at the UNK Communications Center, Room 101, and to other locations across the state, from the Lied Center in Lincoln. The simulcast is free and open to the public.
Ebadi, a human rights activist, was the first Iranian and Muslim woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, recognizing her significant and pioneering efforts in democracy and human rights, especially for the rights of women, children and refugees. As a lawyer, she has been involved in many controversial political cases and as a result, has been imprisoned on several occasions. Ebadi holds a law degree from the University of Tehran.
From 1975-1979, she served as president of the city court of Tehran. After the revolution in 1979, she was forced to resign. Previously a professor at the University of Tehran, she now works as a lawyer.
The lecture, part of the 2012-2013 E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues series addressing religion, rights and politics, is presented by the Nebraska Humanities Council and co-sponsored by the E.N. Thompson Forum.
