Shirin Ebadi's Handshake Sparks Controversy - 2003-10-30

Shirin Ebadi's handshake with one of the men present at her tribute ceremony at Amir Kabir University in Tehran sparked controversy. The conservative newspaper Kayhan, in its afternoon issue, heavily criticized Ms. Ebadi and the attendees of the event. The newspaper writes: 'The ceremony honoring Shirin Ebadi at Amir Kabir University turned into a political meeting of bankrupt groups and a violation of religious beliefs and values... During this event, organized by the National-Participation Association of Amir Kabir University, instead of the official anthem of the Islamic Republic, another anthem ('Ey Iran') was played, and the program host asked participants to stand in respect for this anthem! During the presentation of appreciation plaques to Shirin Ebadi, Habibollah Peyman and Mohammad Maleki, members of the National-Religious group, presented these plaques to her, and to the astonishment of the attendees, Maleki shook Shirin Ebadi's hand!' Kayhan further attacked the elderly poet of Iran, Simin Behbahani, stating: 'In this session, Simin Behbahani, despite her old age and very inappropriate appearance, recited indecent poems praising peace and freedom(!).' The newspaper concludes: 'The political secretary of the National-Participation Association of Amir Kabir University also commemorated the victims of 1987 (the Mojahedin allied with Saddam's regime)!'