– At 11 o’clock my heart stopped, because then it was said that my mother had won the Nobel Prize. In that moment I was very closed. This is what 16-year-old Ali Rahmani, the son of peace prize winner Narges Mohammadi, tells news. He was sitting in the classroom checking his mobile phone under the desk when it was announced that his mother had won the honorable award. – I didn’t want to shout in the classroom, because I didn’t want to disturb the class. But I was completely in the clouds, says Ali. Taghi Rahmani has not seen his wife since 2012. Every time she wins an award, she gets new motivation, he says to news. Photo: THOMAS SAMSON / AFP The exiled family of Narges Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for their persistent work in the fight against the oppression of women, and for promoting human rights. She is a well-known critic of the Iranian regime, and has worked for women’s freedom in the country for around 30 years. Mohammadi has particularly expressed opposition to the death penalty in Iran, in addition to the mandate that women must wear the hijab. But the fight for freedom comes with a price. She has been arrested 13 times, and has been in and out of prison. In total, she has been sentenced to 31 years in prison and 154 lashes. Her husband Taghi Rahmani is also a human rights activist, and has himself spent a total of 14 years in prison. In 2012, he traveled to France for fear of being arrested again, and has lived in exile there ever since. Three years later, in 2015, the peace prize winner was again arrested by Iranian security forces in his own apartment. Then the two children moved to their father in Paris. Mohammadi has not seen his children for eight years, almost nine. The twins Kiani and Ali are now 16 years old. They support the mother’s fight. Narges Mohammadi is in Evin prison. She has blamed the prison for sexual and physical abuse against female inmates. Photo: Reihane Taravati / AP The seriousness behind the award – My father is very happy, and that doesn’t happen very often, says Kiani Rahmani (16). Although the two children are clearly proud and touched that their mother has won the peace prize, they are painfully aware of the seriousness behind it. – How do you see the future of Iran? – I really hope things get better, because we all deserve to live in freedom. Iran is primarily a dictatorship, and I hope that it will become a free country, and that everything will get better, because people are exhausted. It is really, really complicated, says Kiani. Mohammadi has fought a long battle in Iran, and is aware that she may have to be in prison for the rest of her life. From Evin prison, she has organized hunger strikes in protest and taught women about their rights, according to The New York Times: – I will stay in Iran, where I will continue my struggle, together with all those who are imprisoned in our oppressive institutions – even if I have to be in prison for the rest of my life, Mohammadi said. A bigger battle Sonen Ali portrays a mother who is fighting a bigger battle than herself: – Her battle affects us all. The fact that my mother is in prison is partly for us. For Iranian children. And for her children. So that my sister will have the same rights as me. And opposite. In the past, Mohammadi has asked for forgiveness for not being present in his children’s lives. When asked about this by news, both Kiani and Ali answer that she has nothing to apologize for: – Everyone needs their parents. But there are many children who do not have them nearby, and that is sad. But she is doing this for a good cause, and I am proud of her. I want her to keep fighting to achieve what she wants. I know she loves us. That’s what Kiani says, clearly proud of her mother. Photo: Simen Ekern / news Iranians are proud news has been in contact with people on the streets of Tehran. Many women, both with and without covered hair, say they are proud that the peace prize went to Narges Mohammadi, and that they hope it will pave the way for women’s rights in Iran. – We can achieve our goal of freedom, but not without fighting, says a young woman in her mid-20s. – How do you think the authorities will react? – I think they will make the situation more difficult for her, but also for the family, she says. A young woman in her late 20s says she thinks it will lead to even more repression from the regime in the future. – We have very brave women in Iran, and we support each other. This will motivate us, but I don’t know if we will succeed anyway, says another.
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– The fact that she is in prison is partly because of us – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
