The Martyr’s Daughter
The Martyr’s Daughter
A supporter of Iran’s Islamic revolution, Najiyeh Allahdad, sees it as her duty to speak up when in her view the government doesn’t live up to the ideals for which her father fought and died.
This is the second episode of “Our Man in Tehran,” a seven-part video series on , produced with VPRO in the Netherlands. It is the first of two videos about issues facing women in . To learn about new episodes, , like or follow on Twitter.
Character Dossier: Najiyeh Allahdad
Date of birth: July 26, 1976
Hometown: Tehran
Education: B.A. in graphics from Alzahra University, 1999
Employment: Freelance designer, creating logos for companies
Life experience: I got married when I was 20. I have two sons. I have been fortunate in my life to have found a circle of friends and relatives who share my deep passion for helping others. We have formed a small charity group that finds people who need help, and we use our connections to gather help for them.
How do you describe yourself? I’m an Iranian Muslim who uses any opportunity to improve her country and who protects her country's reputation in the world. I love life, and I love peace. I feel that what people have lost in this world is spirituality. I’ve devoted my life to trying to find this spirituality for myself first and then to help others enjoy it.
Are you active on the Internet? I am on Instagram. I also have WhatsApp and Viber. I am in touch with my friends through these social networks and speak my mind. Also, I get information and news through these networks.
What do you hope for the future? I am very hopeful and I believe that religion will play a more important role in people’s lives in the future, and the world will be saved by religion.
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What are your hobbies? I’m active in charity efforts. Like Superman, I jump to find people who need help.
Have you traveled outside of Iran? Where? What did you think? I have traveled to India, China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, the United States and Syria. I found some Eastern countries like India and China to be very civilized, but they have not used their civilization to improve their daily lives. On the other hand, I found the Western countries to be detached from their histories and stepping into a new world that has an unclear future. Some Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. seemed too dependent on Western countries and would be nothing without help from the U.S. And a country like Iraq has always been hampered by circumstances throughout its history.
Character Dossier: Akram Khodabandeh
Date of birth: Sept. 25, 1991
Hometown: Karaj, in north central Iran
Education: Student of mechanical engineering, Karaj University
Employment: Student,
Life experience: I got married to my brother’s friend at an early age, when I was 17. My brother-in-law used to practice taekwondo. I watched taekwondo films, and I liked it. He introduced me to my coach, and I started practicing. I liked it a lot and decided to follow my interest very seriously.
How do you describe yourself? I am an adventurous person. I love excitement. I am full of energy and motivation to be successful in my studies and my sport.
Are you active on the Internet? I have where I put my sport pictures.
What do you hope for the future? I am sure that the future will be great. Not only for me, but also for all Iranian girls who play sports. With little equipment and facilities, we have won all of these achievements and honors. I am sure that if we keep on practicing, we can defeat many of our international rivals.
Have you ever traveled outside of Iran? Where? What did you think? I have been to England, Spain, South Korea, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar. There are great facilities for young people in these countries, especially for women. I think that Iranian girls are so talented that they have reached the levels they are at now despite all of the shortages here. But I like the Iranian culture.
How do you feel when you win and when you lose? Winning or losing, the first thing I say is, “Thank you, God.” I am serious. Then, later, I may start cheering or become grumpy when I lose.
What matters most in life? Being a good person is the most important thing. Winning medals does not matter on its own. What matters is to become a good champion, someone that people do not forget.
What is your favorite music? I like . I enjoy listening to sad songs and lyrics. I would also like learn to play the piano. My husband has told me that he will buy me one if I win a gold medal.
Does wearing a hijab give you an advantage or disadvantage while practicing your sport? To wear a hijab during a match is difficult. I am not so committed to wearing a hijab, but I can see how women who wear one are pestered far less often by men in society. And I like to step on the winner’s podium wearing a hijab.