Azar Nafisi

"When I first left Iran at the age of 13, Iran had become such a shining star - it was the point to which all my desires and dreams returned."

"You need imagination in order to imagine a future that doesn't exist."

"Those in the west who dismiss the repressiveness of laws against women in countries like Iran, no matter how benign their intentions, present a condescending view not just of the religion but also of women living in Muslim majority countries, as if the desire for choice and happiness is the monopoly of women in the west."

"This is a good time to ask apologists for the Islamic regime, who degrades Islam? Who imposes stoning, forced marriage of underage girls and flogging for not wearing the veil? Do such practices represent Iran's ancient history and culture, its ethnic and religious diversity? Its centuries of sensual and subversive poetry?"

"You need imagination in order to imagine a future that doesn't exist."

"Once we know of atrocities we cannot remain silent, and knowledge inevitably leads to an urge to protect the innocent."