‘Will be happy to be in Mumbai’

Taghi Rahmani and Narges Mohammadi

When Taghi Rahmani, husband of Nobel Peace Prize winner 2023 Narges Mohammadi, human rights activist currently imprisoned in Iran, got a message from Mumbai's Harmony Foundation asking whether he would accept the ‘Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice 2023' on behalf of his incarcerated wife, he accepted enthusiastically. The award function is expected to be held in the fourth week of November this year.

Harmony Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) working for cohesion between different communities, hosts the annual Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for social justice honouring those who have contributed to the betterment of society and worked to alleviate the suffering of marginalised persons. The award, the Foundation spokesperson said, "is being conferred upon Narges Mohammadi in recognition of her undaunted courage to put her life on the line as a fearless defender and advocate of human rights against the fundamentalist regime of Iran and truly exemplifying humanity in action."

In prison

Taghi Rahmani lives in Paris (France). They have twins. Rahmani's representative who confirmed Rahmani had consented to receive the award on her behalf said, "He will be in Mumbai for three days. In fact, he is very happy to travel to India to receive this award. He has never been to India earlier and is particularly excited to see Mumbai, too."

Narges Mohammadi's family released this statement in early October when they learnt the Nobel Peace Prize was bestowed on her. They said, "with utmost sincerity, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all Iranians, with a special emphasis on the courageous women and girls of Iran." They added that it was with regret that they found themselves, "unable to witness her joyous reaction to this remarkable and splendid news due to her unjust imprisonment."

They told the people of Iran to, "Come together to celebrate this momentous incident, with a special salutation of the brave women and girls who have captivated the world's attention through their incredible courage and bravery in the past year within the ‘Women, Life, Freedom' movement." Her husband specifically added, "Awarding the valuable Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi in a year when the innocent blood of Mahsa Amini (who became symbolic of the anti-mandatory hijab movement) and hundreds of young girls and boys has been shed is, in fact, a recognition of this important prize to the Mahsa movement and subsequently the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement, which continues with bravery, even as I write to you."

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He said, "Iranian women will continue this struggle until they achieve their rightful demands. They will not withdraw from their activism and it is only fitting that human rights organizations show greater support for the people's struggle in Iran, amplify the voices of protesters and human rights activists, particularly women and girls and help them achieve a democratic and free society."

The fighter

The Harmony Foundation's founder-chairman Dr Abraham Mathai said, "Narges Mohammadi's family felt both humbled and saddened when they learned that we wanted to give her the ‘Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice'. They were honoured by the recognition but pained by the fact that she would not be able to receive the award in person due to her imprisonment."

The Foundation's past few awardees are Tawakkol Karman, Malala Yousufzai; Laila Talo Khudher Alali, Women for Afghan Women, and the Office for the Rescue of the Yazidis, who have been at the forefront of advocating for women's rights. Mathai said, "Individuals like Mohammadi serve as global inspirations and the Foundation stands in solidarity with international civil society movements and activists fighting for her release and eventual freedom." Rahmani has signed off his earlier statement with a classic Narges Mohammadi quote: "Victory is not easy, but it's certain."