In this episode of All About Change, Princess Noor Pahlavi shares her personal perspective on the Iranian monarchy, contrasting her grandfather's progressive vision with the oppressive conditions Iranians currently face under the Islamic Republic. Pahlavi discusses how women's rights have been severely curtailed, and how she leverages social media to amplify Iranian voices, especially those of women resisting the regime.
She expresses her desire for a democratic Iran with autonomy and dignity for women, supported by the global community. The episode also covers Pahlavi's philanthropy and efforts through organizations like Acumen to create an inclusive, fair world and sustainably improve impoverished communities.
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Noor Pahlavi offers a personal view of her grandfather, the former Shah of Iran, as a kind and visionary leader who advocated for women's rights, education, and an outward-looking, progressive Iran. His wife, Empress Farah Pahlavi, instilled in Noor an appreciation for Iranian culture, altruism, and resilience.
Under the monarchy, women gained expanded freedoms and rights, including the abolition of polygamy and removal of mandatory headscarves. These reforms contrast starkly with the oppressive conditions facing Iranians today under the "Islamic Republic."
Noor Pahlavi emphasizes the distinction between Iran and the current regime, which she views as an unrepresentative and oppressive force focused on fundamentalist ideology over citizens' welfare. Iranians face rampant inflation, failing infrastructure, severe pollution, minority persecution, and extensive human rights violations like the highest per capita execution rate globally.
Women's freedoms have been severely curtailed, with Iran ranking 143rd out of 146 countries on women's rights. Legal marriage age was initially lowered to 9, women require male guardian approval for many activities, fields of study and jobs are restricted, and there are no protections against domestic violence or honor killings.
Pahlavi leverages social media to amplify Iranian voices, especially women resisting the regime. She partners with organizations like the National Union for Democracy in Iran to assist refugees, push policy change, and provide platforms for Iranians to share experiences.
Her vision is a free, democratic Iran with autonomy and dignity for women, supported by the global community in opposition to the current government's repression.
As a member of Acumen's Global Advisory Board, Pahlavi supports their mission to create an inclusive, fair world with dignity for all. Acumen invests in entrepreneurs addressing poverty and aims to sustainably improve developing communities through collaborations spanning government, civil society, and private sectors.
1-Page Summary
The history and impact of the Iranian monarchy is explored through personal recollections and the progressive changes implemented under the Shah's rule, revealing a time of cultural appreciation and advancements that starkly contrasts with Iran's current circumstances.
Noor Pahlavi offers an intimate portrait of her grandfather, the former Shah of Iran, whom she describes as a soft-spoken and loving figure, deeply sensitive to his people and their sentiments. Despite his personal suffering, he was remembered as low maintenance and kind, especially towards his family and dogs.
Noor recalls how her grandfather envisioned a modern Iran, not solely reliant on oil, where education was accessible and Iranians could seek knowledge abroad, integrate globally, and build bridges. He advocated for a diverse Iran, where all faiths were welcomed, minorities had a voice, and progress was a priority. His efforts to expand opportunities and facilitate Iran's active role in the global economy marked him as a visionary leader.
Noor Pahlavi looks up to her grandmother, the Empress Farah Pahlavi, and recounts the lessons she imparted on understanding and appreciating Iranian culture, warmth, art, intelligence, and education.
Empress Pahlavi taught Noor the value of treating all living things with kindness and respect, the triviality of material possessions, and the importance of grace during adversity. The Empress's sense of duty and motherly role towards Iran sustained her after personal lo ...
The History and Legacy of the Iranian Monarchy
There’s a crucial distinction made by Noor Pahlavi between the state of Iran and the current ruling government, referred to as the Islamic Republic, which she claims is unrepresentative and oppressive.
Noor Pahlavi, in discussion with Jay Ruderman, stresses the importance of referring to the current ruling government as the Islamic Republic instead of simply Iran. She argues that doing so emphasizes the regime's illegitimacy and the oppression inflicted upon its citizens. Pahlavi believes the regime is more occupied with ideological and political dominance than the welfare of its people, seeing themselves as occupiers exporting fundamentalist Islam rather than representatives of the Iranian population.
The hardships faced by Iranians under the Islamic Republic are numerous and severe. The economy is crippled by rampant inflation, and necessities like bread and eggs have become luxuries. Outdated infrastructure for electricity and water systems has led to frequent outages and shortages. The environment is severely neglected, with pollution creating dangerously toxic air in cities.
There has been a surge in executions, especially following the 2022 protests, and religious and ethnic minorities are continually persecuted. The Islamic Republic has the highest per capita execution rate globally, and Iran has the highest child execution rate in the world. The regime also imposes strict rules, like banning unmarried couples from showing affection in public, outlawing dogs, and imprisoning intellectuals who criticize the government.
Women's rights in Iran have suffered greatly under the Islamic Republic. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index, Iran ranks 143rd out of 146 countries. There are no protections against gender-based violence, and women's testimonies and inheritance rights are considered only half as valuable as those of men. Furthermore, legal marriage age was initially decreased to nine after the revolution, though later increase ...
Oppressive Conditions in Iran Under the Islamic Republic
Noor Pahlavi leverages her platform and influence to amplify the struggles of the Iranian people, partner with organizations supporting their quest for freedom, and envision a future for Iran grounded in democracy and respect for women's rights.
Noor Pahlavi utilizes her presence on social media to give voice to the silenced people of Iran, focusing on the courageous actions of Iranian women who resist the oppressive regime. She uses her platform to shed light on the issues faced by Iranians, acting as a megaphone for their otherwise muted voices. Her efforts include practical initiatives like trying to get Iranians back online when the internet was shut down by the government.
Pahlavi's content on social media is designed to magnify the voices of Iranian women still resisting the regime and to broadcast the resistance against the government's attempts to smother and silence its people. These women have risked—and sometimes sacrificed—their lives to produce videos revealing their struggles, and Pahlavi amplifies their plight on her platforms, saluting their bravery.
Noor Pahlavi is actively involved with the National Union for Democracy in Iran, a group consisting of Iranians from varied backgrounds. This collective works tirelessly to influence U.S. policymakers to differentiate between the voice of the Iranian populace and the regime and its proxies. Collaboration with the Persian American Women's Conference is another avenue through which Pahlavi empowers women who have suffered in Iran by p ...
Speaker's Advocacy and Efforts to Support Iranian People
Noor Pahlavi outlines her involvement in philanthropy and social impact, with a particular emphasis on her work with Acumen and its mission to create a world that is more inclusive, fair, and dignified.
Noor Pahlavi, serving on the Global Advisory Board at Acumen, is inspired by Acumen's founder Jacqueline Novogratz and her vision of redefining success. This vision includes values such as empathy, inclusion, fairness, and dignity. Pahlavi is drawn to the idea that success extends beyond material wealth and encompasses the wellbeing of all humanity.
Pahlavi expresses that a fair world where all human beings have access to dignity and opportunity is not just an ideal, but an attainable goal. She details Acumen's mission, investing in entrepreneurs in developing countries who tackle significant issues such as the environment, healthcare, agriculture, and women's empowerment. By focusing on these challenging issues, Acumen aims to help elevate communities out of poverty sustainably.
Moreover, she appreciates Acumen's collaborative approach, which involves connecting government, civil society, and the private sector to build effective markets and enhance impact. Pahlavi expresses her pride in being part of an organization that strives fo ...
The Speaker's Other Philanthropic and Social Impact Work
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