SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Interested in having Jacqueline speak at your next event, program, conference, or book club?
Presentations are in person or virtually for audiences around the world.
Presentations are in person or virtually for audiences around the world.
Jacqueline's unique value is that she can analyze current events and place the occurrences in a historical context — a history that she personally lived through. Ms. Saper’s lectures, workshops, and seminars delve into an understanding of the Middle East in general and Iran specifically. |
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Sample Presentations
History:
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From Miniskirt to Hijab: A Girl in Revolutionary Iran - A Personal Journey
The Iranian Revolution of 1979 is a harrowing and instructive tale of how extremist ideologies seized a pro-West, affluent country and transformed it into a fundamentalist Islamic society. In this talk, named after her award-winning memoir, Jacqueline Saper discusses her first-hand experiences as a teenager during the revolution and as a young wife and a mother in the Islamic republic. Other topics, such as the American Hostage Crisis, the history of Iran-U.S. relations, the Iran-Iraq war, and human rights in the region, will also be examined. |
The Morality Police and Hijab in Iran and its significance in the mass protests
For some women in the West, hijab is a choice and a means of expression; for many women in the authoritarian society of Iran, hijab is a symbol of oppression that strips away their most basic human rights and the dignity to wear what they want. Jacqueline Saper’s TEDx Talk and her opinion columns in The Seattle Times and Foreign Policy News discuss Iran’s hijab laws. In this talk, she explains the history of hijab in Iran, how we in the West
can better understand its implications on women, and why it remains a matter of contention in Iran.
For some women in the West, hijab is a choice and a means of expression; for many women in the authoritarian society of Iran, hijab is a symbol of oppression that strips away their most basic human rights and the dignity to wear what they want. Jacqueline Saper’s TEDx Talk and her opinion columns in The Seattle Times and Foreign Policy News discuss Iran’s hijab laws. In this talk, she explains the history of hijab in Iran, how we in the West
can better understand its implications on women, and why it remains a matter of contention in Iran.
Get Your Affairs in Order: The Paradox of Modern Iran and its Implications on World Affairs
In this lecture, we will understand the current news about the different challenges and opportunities in Iran. We will also examine the structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran's theocratic politics and the concept of the jurisprudence of Velayat Faghih.
In this lecture, we will understand the current news about the different challenges and opportunities in Iran. We will also examine the structure of the Islamic Republic of Iran's theocratic politics and the concept of the jurisprudence of Velayat Faghih.
The Supreme Leader: Who Has the Ultimate Power in Iran?
Ayatollah Khamenei is the supreme leader of Iran's Islamic Republic. His omnipresent portrait overlooks public squares and is showcased on billboards, posters, and private and government offices. This lecture will examine this leader's authority and introduce his predecessor and possible successor.
Ayatollah Khamenei is the supreme leader of Iran's Islamic Republic. His omnipresent portrait overlooks public squares and is showcased on billboards, posters, and private and government offices. This lecture will examine this leader's authority and introduce his predecessor and possible successor.
Treading the thin line between Zionism, Judaism and Antisemitism
Since the establishment of the Islamic republic, the Iranian leaders have continuously advocated the destruction of Israel and, at one point, predicted it would cease to exist in twenty-five years. Yet, Iran is also home to an ancient Jewish community. Jacqueline Saper speaks about her own experiences and explains the state’s policy towards religious minorities.
Since the establishment of the Islamic republic, the Iranian leaders have continuously advocated the destruction of Israel and, at one point, predicted it would cease to exist in twenty-five years. Yet, Iran is also home to an ancient Jewish community. Jacqueline Saper speaks about her own experiences and explains the state’s policy towards religious minorities.
The Baha'i faith: The status of Iran's largest non-Muslim religious minority
The Baha'i faith is one of the youngest of the world's religions. In this informative lecture, we will get a deeper understanding of this faith's tenets and the Bahai's marginalization in Iran.
The Baha'i faith is one of the youngest of the world's religions. In this informative lecture, we will get a deeper understanding of this faith's tenets and the Bahai's marginalization in Iran.
The Sunni-Shia Divide: Iran and Saudi Arabia
Islam's schism between its two primary branches has existed for fourteen centuries. This lecture will examine the Sunni and Shi'a divide in Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi'a Iran and its impact on the Middle East.
Islam's schism between its two primary branches has existed for fourteen centuries. This lecture will examine the Sunni and Shi'a divide in Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi'a Iran and its impact on the Middle East.
Iranian Cinema: Understanding Iranian Culture and Current Affairs through the use of Cinema
Iranian cinema has gained international reception in recent years. In this entertaining presentation, we will examine pre and post-revolutionary Iran's gender and social dynamics by reviewing highly acclaimed contemporary Iranian and American films.
Iranian cinema has gained international reception in recent years. In this entertaining presentation, we will examine pre and post-revolutionary Iran's gender and social dynamics by reviewing highly acclaimed contemporary Iranian and American films.
Saffron and Cardamom: Exploring Iran's rich culture through its food
Persian cuisine, with its display of beautiful colors and aromas, is gaining popularity in the West. This lecture will examine Iran's culture and history through food. We will learn which dishes are made for holiday celebrations and religious ceremonies.
Persian cuisine, with its display of beautiful colors and aromas, is gaining popularity in the West. This lecture will examine Iran's culture and history through food. We will learn which dishes are made for holiday celebrations and religious ceremonies.