United States Ambassador Shirin Tahir-Kheli shared her insight into Islam to a full house Nov. 13 in Marty Theater.
Inspiring the Bradley and Peoria communities alike in her talk, “Understanding Muslim Societies: The Role of Women in Rebuilding,” Tahir-Kheli gave her account of coming to the United States from Pakistan, graduating college at the age of 16 and going on to work in the field of foreign affairs.
With wit and humor, Tahir-Kheli detailed her various positions ranging from Research Professor at John Hopkins University to Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations at the National Security Council.
“There were not very many women serving in key positions in 1984, certainly none that looked like me,” she said. “I always joked the President might think I was left behind by a visiting delegation in the Oval Office.”
Tahir-Kheli detailed the difficulties that many who identify with Islam now face. The corrupt few are often representative of the entire body of Islam in media coverage and conversation. She said, however, that the core values and practices of Islam are empowering and do not support such terrorist actions.
“Islam has enabled its men and women to strive for knowledge,” she said. “Acquisition of knowledge is a duty of everyone, and you see this in both the Quran and the Hadith.”
Tahir-Kheli spoke, specifically, on the role that women have played in history and in religion over the years for Muslims, saying their roles have been both vital and influential.
“Over the centuries, since the advent of Islam, women have had an impact,” she said. “They were partners in battle and in prayer.”
As a woman of many titles, Tahir-Kheli said although answering the question of what would be her proudest accomplishment is difficult, it presents an opportunity for self-reflection.
“I think the things that make me feel good about the numbers of year and days I’ve put into [my cause], apart from raising two decent citizens, I hope, in my children, is you get to do something you really love with integrity and be given the chance to do it for your country,” she said. “It’s a huge burden but a huge honor. I feel, for the 1.5 billion [Muslim] people [I am speaking on behalf of], I held the flag up a little bit.”
Junior international business major Jeanette Sieminski said Tahir-Kheli’s message was one of inspiration and deep understanding.
“We’ve touched on some of the things she discussed in my international studies classes regarding how women are often underrepresented and underestimated,” she said. “It’s talked about all the time, but you never really comprehend to what extent it affects people until someone who has personally experienced the situation talks about it with depth and understanding.”
Sieminski also said that students can learn a lot from what Tahir-Kheli has gone through and achieved.
“Even though she’s met with so many important people in the government and around the world, she’s very down to earth and keeps herself on our level,” Sieminski said. “It makes people like me think we can achieve that kind of excellence because she’s so personable.”
Tahir-Kheli left her audience with a message of action, calling them to do their research and seek out opportunities to form bridges, combat rumors and seek knowledge.
“My father taught me that one of the greatest lessons…of Islam was the universal right to knowledge,” she said. “People often forget that [many years ago] learning was the exclusive privilege of a certain restrictive class. This was only for the leaders. Islam changed all that by abolishing it and making it obligatory of all believers to acquire knowledge for themselves.”
