I was reflecting upon the past 30 days and the year 2013--and all that has transpired. Today is exactly 30 days since I got the fateful call about my Son's accident. It has been, needless to say, a very interesting number of weeks. It has made me ever more thankful and appreciative of what is hand and ever more determined to do what I can to serve, to make a difference, to smile & be joyful and never to succumb to a culture of blame and regret. The life's challenges will be before us--it is how we deal with it that will ultimately determine our fate and our success. Isn't that what living an Ethical Life is about?
As I thought about our session during a day of service yesterday, I wondered what could be done differently. What I know is that there is a lot to be hopeful for despite all the challenges. I say this as I read up on this message from a prisoner of conscious in Iran--whose only crime is to speak up for Human Rights...
Read more: http://www.persianicons.org/human-right/inspiring-norooz-message-from-imprisoned-rights-attorney-abdolfatah-soltani/#ixzz2OUR9sVRO
As I thought about our session during a day of service yesterday, I wondered what could be done differently. What I know is that there is a lot to be hopeful for despite all the challenges. I say this as I read up on this message from a prisoner of conscious in Iran--whose only crime is to speak up for Human Rights...
Inspiring Norooz Message From Imprisoned Rights Attorney Abdolfatah Soltani
Abdolfatah Soltani, a rights lawyer, spokesman and co-founder of the Center for Human Rights Defenders, was arrested on September 10, 2011.
Soltani was tried and convicted on charges of “receiving illegal income through being awarded the 2009 Nuremberg International Human Rights Award, interviews with foreign media about his clients’ cases, and Co-founding the Center for Human Rights Defenders.
Soltani was initially sentenced to 18 years imprisonment and a 20 years ban from practicing law. His sentence was later overturned and reduced to 13 years imprisonment.
Following is translation of Mr. Soltani’s Norooz message:
Maede Soltani, who lives in Germany: “My father was told that his sentence would be reduced (further) if he would apologize and speak out against Ms. Ebadi in an open letter or an interview,” Maede Soltani said. “He declined.” June 13, 2012 – By Associated Press BERLIN
Abdolfattah Soltani, a prominent human rights lawyer, was arrested on September 10, 2011. On January 8, 2012, Branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court under Judge Pirabbasi sentenced him to 18 years in prison, exile to Borazjan, and 20 years’ ban on his legal practice on charges of “being awarded the [2009] Nuremberg International Human Rights Award,” “interviewing with media about his clients’ cases,” and “co-founding the Center for Human Rights Defenders.”
Soltani was tried and convicted on charges of “receiving illegal income through being awarded the 2009 Nuremberg International Human Rights Award, interviews with foreign media about his clients’ cases, and Co-founding the Center for Human Rights Defenders.
Soltani was initially sentenced to 18 years imprisonment and a 20 years ban from practicing law. His sentence was later overturned and reduced to 13 years imprisonment.
Following is translation of Mr. Soltani’s Norooz message:
“They may close your eyes, ears and mouth, but never will they be able to enchain your thoughts. So bread the bird of liberty with such pure and creative minds that it becomes so strong that it throws down and shatters the hour-glass of the life of the demon of ignorance and darkness, and tears apart the ropes and chains of the worshipers of the darkness.
May your minds be joyful and ever green, your souls cheerful, your hearts filled with love and happiness, and your arms filled with strength for building a better future.”
Happy Norooz 1392
Maede Soltani, who lives in Germany: “My father was told that his sentence would be reduced (further) if he would apologize and speak out against Ms. Ebadi in an open letter or an interview,” Maede Soltani said. “He declined.” June 13, 2012 – By Associated Press BERLINRead more: http://www.persianicons.org/human-right/inspiring-norooz-message-from-imprisoned-rights-attorney-abdolfatah-soltani/#ixzz2OUR9sVRO
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