There’s a lot of buzz in Iran over Zahra Rahnavard, the wife of the presidential hopeful Mousavi who is going up against Ahmadinejad in June. A recent article by Ali Akbar Dareini of the Associated Press offers the following description of her:

She brings a rare mix: the liberal cry to fire up reformers, paired with the revolutionary credentials that bring grudging respect from hard-liners. Even her outfit gives a nod in both directions — an ultraconservative head-to-toe black chador, with a colorful head scarf peeking out and a bag made by traditional village weavers.
“Men and women are like “two wings,” she told the Tabriz University crowd at a rally on Tuesday. “A bird can’t fly with one wing or with a broken wing,” she said, drawing applause from the mostly student gathering.

Those of you reading this blog with even a passing knowledge of the Baha’i Faith may recognize that last part:

“The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment.” – ‘Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.375

While Iran continues to persecute and imprison members of the Baha’i Faith on the one hand, still, Iranians find the teachings irresistible. (Though if anyone were to point that out to them, I imagine there would be a general freak-out, given all the misinformation they’ve been given about the Faith over the years.) The response of one supporter at that rally:

“Rahnavard is a symbol of women’s rights. She is inspiring women to stand up and demand their rights from Iran’s male-dominated ruling system. We are thirsty for freedom and she is encouraging us to do things we are in need of,” said Roya Masoudzadeh, a young Mousavi supporter, as she waved a green flag.

Well, Iran, you are in my heart and in my blood, and I hope someday you realize you already have access to everything you need to free yourself.