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The Wind in My Hair

My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran

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The Wind in My Hair

By: Masih Alinejad
Narrated by: Linda Henning
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About this listen

 'A must-read for anyone who cares about women's equality' Sheryl Sandberg

'A flame-thrower for the rights of women who live under the thumb of repression and injustice' Tina Brown

BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

This memoir is the extraordinary story of how one woman, Masih Alinejad, an awe-inspiring journalist and activist from a small village in Iran, overcame enormous adversity to fight for what she truly believed and founded a major movement for women around the world with the simple removal of her hijab.

It all started with a single photo, a bold statement on Masih's Facebook page: a woman standing proudly, her face bare, her beautiful, curly hair blowing in the wind. Her crime: simply removing her veil, or hijab, which is compulsory for women in Iran. This is the photo that sparked a social-media liberation movement, 'My Stealthy Freedom'. Across Iran, women started posting pictures of their uncovered hair on Masih's page in open defiance of the strict religious beliefs of their country (and often, their families) while sharing their personal stories about this powerful mode of expression.

With the creation of 'My Stealthy Freedom' Masih has gained over one million supporters around the world, and inspired Islamic women everywhere to take a stand for their basic human rights. She's been covered by the media from Vogue, to the Guardian, the New York Times and beyond. Last year she was the recipient of the Women's Rights Award from the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy.

But behind the scenes of this movement, Masih has been fighting a painful personal battle. She is a divorcee -- a sin equivalent to prostitution in Iranian culture. As a reporter, Masih has been actively speaking out against the government's corrupt policies for more than a decade, and has faced abuse and slander at every turn. In 2009 she went abroad during the Iranian presidential election with hopes of interviewing Barack Obama. Before the interview could take place, the elections were stolen, Masih's newspaper was shut down, and thousands of Iranians were arrested. She was expelled from her own country, and separated from her only son. Although she eventually was able to take her son abroad, she has not returned to Iran or seen her family in years. To this day, Masih has faith that one day she will be reunited with her homeland.

A defiant, inspiring voice for women's rights, Masih Alinejad speaks for women everywhere.

'Intriguing and inspiring . . . her voice is so important to the Iranian people's struggles for freedom and democracy' Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran©2018 Masih Alinejad (P)2018 Hachette Audio UK Women Inspiring

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All stars
Most relevant  
For anyone who dares to dream. Great story, inspiring woman, written very well. Had me hooked from the beginning all the way to the end.

The narrator disappointingly didn’t seem to have bothered to check correct pronunciations, which was annoying. But the book is so good, this hardly matters.

Congrats Masih

A must read

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splendid story telling ✨
powerful source of inspiration and Insight.

just wish it was read by an Iranian so that the pronunciation of the Farsi words could be better.

woman l,

woman, life, freedom

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Massi's story and struggle is fascinating to read and an inspiration for women everywhere. Although the reading wasn't as powerful, her words were.

Moving and eye opening

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I laughed, I cried, I shouted it, I was proud ...
(a few small pronunciation issues)

.

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I left Iran because of compulsory Hijab. I joined Masi's campaign and was relieved to see that at last someone is trying to speak up about the injustice and outright discrimination imposed on Iranian women and girls. Masi is brilliant and full of life. Her life story is breathtaking and she's inspired me and a lot of other women around the world to stand up to bullies. Yes Iranian government, the Islamic Republic of Iran is a big bad bully. I love her story about her mum who manages to fight back at their bullying empty handed without any education.
Please read/listen this book, My British husband asked me why i'm listening to such a sad story. I couldn't tell him, that's almost my story too, that's why I can't talk to you about my past in great detail as it's too depressing for Europeans to even listen to such tragedies. Imagine living that life..


A window to everyday's struggle of female Iranians

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Extraordinary true story of one woman's fight for freedom from wearing the veil in Iran.

The truth will out

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I don't recall hearing a story as impactful and eye opening as Masih's. I am an Iranian woman too but left the country when I had no interaction with society as an adult but even then I can resonate with so many of these outrageous limitations placed by government for women. They know Iranian women are strong, fierce and a force to be reckoned with and do all they can to control them.I am so proud of Masih's courage and sacrifices. Thank you.

what an inspiring story from a fellow Iranian woman

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