We all had to pay, but not for the crimes we were accused of. There were other scores to settle.

In the past 30 years, officials of the Iranian regime and its apologists have labeled criticism, especially with regard to women's rights, as anti-Islamic and pro-Western, justifying its brutalities by ascribing them to Islam and Iran's culture.

It takes courage to die for a cause, but also to live for one.

I think Islam is in a sense, in crisis. It needs to question and re-question itself.

Empathy lies at the heart of Gatsby, like so many other great novels-the biggest sin is to be blind to others problems and pains. Not seeing them means denying their existence.

When I walked down the streets, I asked myself, are these my people?, is this my hometown, am I who I am?

There is little consolation in the fact that millions of people are unhappier than we are. Why should other people's misery make us happier or more content?