Mrs. Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, visited the Islamic Center of America.  Mrs. Ebadi was received and greeted by Imam Qazwini.

 

A reception was held in her honor, attended by 100 community members. Imam Qazwini welcomed Mrs. Ebadi with delight and honor, declaring, "Mrs. Ebadi is the first female Muslim to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and hopefully not the last." He went on to express the feeling of jubilation in the Muslim world.  Imam Qazwini stated that this should be expected, explaining, "Islam is known to be progressive on women's issues, preaching equality between men and women."

 

Mrs. Ebadi addressed the audience with her concern about the religion of Islam being under attack.  "If a Muslim violated a law, he would be labeled by his faith, not his name.  Contrary to if a Christian committed the same violation, the faith of Christianity would never be labeled."

 

Mrs. Ebadi's address was received with applause and encouragement. Her final thoughts reiterated her concern for the image of the religion of Islam.  "My question to the world is: why hold the religion responsible?  Islam is not a religion of violence and terror. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity share the same roots and we should speak of our commonalities, putting aside our differences."