Jun 22 2009 - 12:10pm She's being called the "face of Iran," "Iran's Joan of Arc," and an "Angel of Freedom" — but no matter what she's called, Neda Agha Soltani, who was shot and killed at a protest this weekend in Tehran, will live on as a defining symbol of the segment of Iran's opposition to the controversial election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The young philosophy student was shot in the heart on Saturday, presumably by government snipers. Graphic video and images of her last moments have spread around Iran and the world, making Neda a galvanizing figure for protesters.
My heart goes out to them...I can't believe that she is only 16, she haven't lived her life, it was cut short. I can understand that they want to use her face as a symbol of freedom. She was
young, brave, and the face of the future wanting to change.
Hi Anonymous from Iran! Thank you for your comment. I did notice that there were some conflicting reports on her age, and some of the most recent stories today cited her as being 16. No
matter her age, it is a very tragic story.
I was about to say...16 years old and a philosophy student would indicate to me that Neda was a college student. I know in some countries people start college at 16, but it's still unusual.
I've read that she was 26, that it was her music teacher (not father), and that she had a fiance... I've also heard she wasn't a supporter of either side but was killed when she decided to
step out of her car because of the heat. A lot of uncertainty in these reports but it's terrible news anyhow. Now she's a martyr and a symbol when only a short while ago she was just Neda.
This is just so sad. Like Sidra said, I read on BBC that she wasn't even part of the protest and had just stepped out of her car. Either way, I don't like the fact that a video showing her
death is being posted everywhere- I just refuse to watch her last moments, and I think showing the video is like exploiting her. Telling the story of deaths that occurred during the protest
is fine, but passing around a video and images of a dying girl on youtube is crossing a line.
I think what appals me about the video is that BBC linked to it. With a warning that it was graphic, yes, but to be honest, that video is more sensational than news. It was important to get
out so her story got out, but at this point, when news outlets are picking up the story, it's unnecessary to pass around. PARTICULARLY by a News Outlet.
That picture, or some very similar form of it, was on the cover of the Wallstreet Journal on Monday. I think it is an important image. If the news outlets were not "passing around" images of
the victims, we wouldn't know half about what's going on as we currently do. People are being killed in Iran. I don't evidence of that is sensationalizing anything.
I've been having nightmares since I saw the pics and videos.but seeing you guys caring means so much to me and many more people who are having a difficult time here in Iran. thanks for
putting up the news and thanks for feeling our pain.It just made me stronger to more determined to continue fighting.
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and
prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.
If you are already a member, or would like to receive email alerts as new comments are made, please login or register. Or connect with your Facebook account: .
Lrg
Jipepe
French Connection
Like this? Be the first! Please login or register to like this
14 Comments Post a Comment
My heart goes out to them...I can't believe that she is only 16, she haven't lived her life, it was cut short. I can understand that they want to use her face as a symbol of freedom. She was young, brave, and the face of the future wanting to change.
1i just want to say that neda wa 26 years old not 16!!s
2Hi Anonymous from Iran! Thank you for your comment. I did notice that there were some conflicting reports on her age, and some of the most recent stories today cited her as being 16. No matter her age, it is a very tragic story.
3I was about to say...16 years old and a philosophy student would indicate to me that Neda was a college student. I know in some countries people start college at 16, but it's still unusual.
This whole situation is just tragic.
4I've read that she was 26, that it was her music teacher (not father), and that she had a fiance... I've also heard she wasn't a supporter of either side but was killed when she decided to step out of her car because of the heat. A lot of uncertainty in these reports but it's terrible news anyhow. Now she's a martyr and a symbol when only a short while ago she was just Neda.
5i haven't been able to get that image out of my head since i saw the video... i'll keep praying for her.
6Neda's death is saddening and disturbing. My heart goes out to her family and loved ones.
7Dear God I would like to say thank you for letting me be born in the west. I would probably killed myself already if i was born in the middle east
8This is just so sad. Like Sidra said, I read on BBC that she wasn't even part of the protest and had just stepped out of her car. Either way, I don't like the fact that a video showing her death is being posted everywhere- I just refuse to watch her last moments, and I think showing the video is like exploiting her. Telling the story of deaths that occurred during the protest is fine, but passing around a video and images of a dying girl on youtube is crossing a line.
9I think what appals me about the video is that BBC linked to it. With a warning that it was graphic, yes, but to be honest, that video is more sensational than news. It was important to get out so her story got out, but at this point, when news outlets are picking up the story, it's unnecessary to pass around. PARTICULARLY by a News Outlet.
10That picture, or some very similar form of it, was on the cover of the Wallstreet Journal on Monday. I think it is an important image. If the news outlets were not "passing around" images of the victims, we wouldn't know half about what's going on as we currently do. People are being killed in Iran. I don't evidence of that is sensationalizing anything.
11***I don't think evidence of that...***
12I've been having nightmares since I saw the pics and videos.but seeing you guys caring means so much to me and many more people who are having a difficult time here in Iran. thanks for putting up the news and thanks for feeling our pain.It just made me stronger to more determined to continue fighting.
13Sara, millions of Americans are thinking of you and worried for the safety of so many innocent people. Take care.
14Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.