Author: | Akram Monfared-Arya | ISBN: | 9789198181807 |
Publisher: | Akram Monfared-Arya | Publication: | April 13, 2014 |
Imprint: | Smashwords Edition | Language: | English |
Author: | Akram Monfared-Arya |
ISBN: | 9789198181807 |
Publisher: | Akram Monfared-Arya |
Publication: | April 13, 2014 |
Imprint: | Smashwords Edition |
Language: | English |
I grew up in a peaceful Iran that turned into a living hell when Khomeini came to power in 1979. He brought insecurity and uncertainty to the country with his revolution and forced us to flee the country. In 1985, six years after the revolution, I managed to run away with my children from the horrors of that dreadful regime. I landed in Sweden and created a new life in the land of freedom.
The escape from Iran was necessary to avoid torture and execution, to avoid being detained, and to avoid falling under an Islamic oppression.
I have always been an active woman. Before the revolution, I managed to obtain my pilot license and was planning to work as a commercial pilot in Iran. I owned my own business. I even got my truck and bus driver's license just to prove women's strength. But women's rights became non-existent the day Khomeini introduced his new Islamic laws. I, as well as all other women, became locked up in a tight cage at home and in the kitchen.
Despite the never-ending hardship in my life, I continue to struggle. The escape to Sweden brought about changes in my way of life. In my new home, I ran a pizzeria among other things, but, most notably, I established myself as a writer, a poet and an artist. I was also actively engaged in politics in Stockholm.
I am still grateful for the way my destiny turned out to be; against the odds, the hard life in exile helped make me more resilient so that I could stand on my own feet again and embrace a new and peaceful life in the land of freedom and democracy.
I grew up in a peaceful Iran that turned into a living hell when Khomeini came to power in 1979. He brought insecurity and uncertainty to the country with his revolution and forced us to flee the country. In 1985, six years after the revolution, I managed to run away with my children from the horrors of that dreadful regime. I landed in Sweden and created a new life in the land of freedom.
The escape from Iran was necessary to avoid torture and execution, to avoid being detained, and to avoid falling under an Islamic oppression.
I have always been an active woman. Before the revolution, I managed to obtain my pilot license and was planning to work as a commercial pilot in Iran. I owned my own business. I even got my truck and bus driver's license just to prove women's strength. But women's rights became non-existent the day Khomeini introduced his new Islamic laws. I, as well as all other women, became locked up in a tight cage at home and in the kitchen.
Despite the never-ending hardship in my life, I continue to struggle. The escape to Sweden brought about changes in my way of life. In my new home, I ran a pizzeria among other things, but, most notably, I established myself as a writer, a poet and an artist. I was also actively engaged in politics in Stockholm.
I am still grateful for the way my destiny turned out to be; against the odds, the hard life in exile helped make me more resilient so that I could stand on my own feet again and embrace a new and peaceful life in the land of freedom and democracy.