Jewels of Allah

the untold story of women in Iran

The popular narrative about women’s lives in Iran over the last forty years goes something like this:

“During the Pahlavi Monarchy, women were on an upward trajectory. In a nation on the cusp of modernity, women actively participated. They were given the right to vote and free to be in public without veils. They wore miniskirts on university campuses. Then came the Islamic Revolution in 1979, with Ayatollah Khomeini at the helm. The burgeoning freedoms for women were extinguished. The veil was required and institutions were segregated by gender. The Islamic Republic had thus achieved its goal of resurrecting the image of the traditional Muslim woman.”

The problem with popular narratives is that, despite their convenient half-truths, the real story is more complicated, unexpected, and less tidy.

Inspired by Nina Ansary’s scholarly journey, Jewels of Allah is a provocative roller coaster ride that shatters the stereotypical assumptions and the often misunderstood story of women in Iran today. Highlighting many courageous female leaders and advocates throughout Iran’s history, the book illuminates the unanticipated consequences of the Islamic Revolution and the unexpected twists and turns leading to a full-blown feminist movement within a post-revolutionary patriarchal society.

Jewels of Allah is dedicated to every individual oppressed by discriminatory ideology.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to charitable organizations and institutions, with the primary recipient being the Omid Foundation

Awards

BOOK REVIEWS

“An incisive, intellectually robust look at the feminist movement in Iran…a riveting portrait of the Iranian woman: her strength, resilience, suffering and hope.” – Publishers Weekly

“A well-documented and persuasively written examination of the change in Iranian women’s status under the country’s secular and religious governments…maintains an engaging tone that makes it easy for casual readers to follow the arguments.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The women of Iran have no greater champion than Nina Ansary, nor does anyone equal her in explaining the seemingly paradoxical expansion of women’s education since the Iranian Revolution.” — Richard W. Bulliet, Professor of History, Columbia University

“An easy and enjoyable read, Jewels of Allah is a valuable primer for understanding the complicated and oft-misconstrued history of Iran’s women.” – Holly Dagres, Senior Fellow Atlantic Council

“This subtle, intelligent book offers compelling insight into the role of women in Iran. [Ansary] brings to life women from Iran’s past, who have held powerful positions in the military, judicial situation and as businesswomen.” ––Katharine Quarmby, writer/journalist, BBC/The Guardian

“Knowing our history is knowing ourselves. Nina Ansary expertly reveals largely untold stories of the multifaceted women of Iran and their perseverance to overcome considerable obstacles.” – Alisa Miller, CEO, Public Radio International (PRI)

“I am a big fan of women speaking out, telling their stories, using their voices – and author Nina Ansary has used hers in an astonishing, important way. Her Jewels of Allah is brave, authentic and riveting. What a compelling example of why women NEED to tell their stories. Read this.” — Kathy Najimy, actress/activist

“This must be included within the Essential Reading lists of all schools- it is a vital historical account, a necessary and refreshed analysis, particularly for our 21st Century culture of fear climate.” – Marcella Karamat, Curator/ Freelance Writer, The Hollywood Reporter

“Nina Ansary’s book is a must-read for anyone hoping for a fuller understanding of the role of women and the women’s rights movement in Iran. It is a much-needed antidote to Western misconceptions.” – San Francisco Book Review

“This is essential reading on Iran, and feminism, human rights, and social movements. The book turns itself into an archive of all the relevant figures, publications, and eras related to the history of women in Iran, and as a researcher and writer, I know I will refer back to it in the future.” – Mahsa Alimardani, internet researcher and Iran editor, Global Voices.com

“This is a remarkable book. Nina Ansary explodes some of the myths and prejudices held about Iranian women across the centuries. This volume is an invaluable addition to the existing literature on the subject and a must-read for all those who are interested in understanding Islam and feminism and in the celebration of differences and diversities within the feminist movements.” – Baroness Afshar of Heslington, Professor, Academy of Social Sciences, University of York

“You can wrap them up in cloths not of their choosing but their powerful spirit still shines through. The Iranian women have always found a way to express themselves, make their presence felt and impact society. This all comes through Dr. Ansary’s book which expertly highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Iranian women during the secular Pahlavi dynasty and during the various presidencies of the current theocracy.” –Dr. Firouz Naderi, Director for Solar System Exploration at NASA’s JPL

“A highly intelligent presentation…offering an informed view of the women’s movement within Iran, Jewels of Allah challenges assumptions and offers cautious optimism.” ––IndieReader Review

“The most accurate and appealing book that I have read about the women’s rights movement in contemporary Iran.” — Mehrangiz Kar, Prominent Iranian attorney and celebrated women’s rights activist