NAZANIN Zaghari-Ratcliffe is coming to Salisbury next month to speak about her experiences of being a political prisoner in Iran.
As part of a special, free event to mark International Women’s Day, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe will be in conversation with the Rt Reverend Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, at Salisbury Cathedral at 7.30pm on March 8.
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was visiting her parents in Iran with her 22-month-old daughter, was arrested at Tehran airport in 2016 on spying charges – something she strongly denies.
She was eventually released six years later in 2022 after her story received worldwide attention when her husband Richard launched a campaign to draw awareness to her situation and to call for her release.
READ MORE: Salisbury to rally behind mum who is trying to walk again
READ MORE: New statue honouring Archbishop Desmond Tutu commissioned for Salisbury Cathedral
READ MORE: Silent vigil in Salisbury calls for peace in the Middle East
Now, on International Women’s Day this year, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe will shine a light on her experiences including her conviction and life following her release.
A spokesperson said: “Beyond the press coverage, hear the remarkable and inspiring story of survival and hope.
“Hear about the other women facing similar injustices in the same prison and how we all have a role to play, using our voices to harness the power of community.”
Nazanin is a project manager at Thomson Reuters Foundation and has previously worked for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the World Health Organisation in Iran.
A spokesperson added: “This special event will be a unique opportunity to hear from a remarkable woman who has experienced huge injustice, in the cathedral which holds one of the original copies of Magna Carta, the enduring symbol of social justice and freedom.
“As part of the evening, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe will take questions from the audience.”
Before the talk, visitors can join tours and learn more about some of the remarkable women whose lives have been intertwined with the cathedral’s history.
‘Wealth, Power, Passion’ tours will take place on Saturday, March 8 at 11.45am, 11.45am, 2pm and 3pm and are included in general admission charges.
The tour will look at Ela Longspee, who laid one of the foundation stones of the cathedral in 1220 Alice Brewer, who gifted Purbeck stone from her quarry in Dorset to decorate the new cathedral, and Katherine Grey, the younger sister of Lady Jane Grey.
There will be a collection to support Salisbury Cathedral and the charity Hostage International.
Are you videoing this event ? I do HOPE you are as we are unable very sadly to come – Nazanin and her husband are two wonderful and very remarkable people. I hope they come to the south east sometime – please have a lovely evening and PLEASE make a video.