|
Professor Haleh
Afshar
| The first Iranian woman
takes up a seat on the House of Lords crossbenches as a non-party
political peer in recognition of her work.
Professor Haleh
Afshar, who is an advisor to the British government on public policy
relating to Muslim women and Islamic law and is the founder and chair of
the Muslim Women's Network, was chosen as a 'People's Peer', an
appointment for people who will bring distinction and expertise to the
House of Lords.
“I was really very surprised and honored to be
considered a 'People's Peer'. In fact, I was lost for words when I was
told. I shall certainly be fighting for equal opportunities for minorities
and for women as I have always done,” Professor Afshar said after her
appointment.
Born in Iran, Afshar has received her PhD from
Cambridge University and currently teaches politics and women's studies at
the University of York. She is also visiting professor of Islamic law at
the International Faculty of Comparative Law, University of Strasbourg.
Professor Afshar is one of the most prolific Muslims in Britain
today. She has served on the British Council and the United Nations
Association of which she is Honorary President of International Services.
She has also been an active defender of the Muslim rights in the UK after
the Sep. 11 attacks and a constant critic of the US policies.
In
addition to her academic studies, she has written widely as a journalist
on Muslim women and the 'War on
Terror'. |
