OSLO, Oct 10: Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi became the first Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in an award intended to foster wider democracy in the Islamic world.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Shirin Ebadi — Iran’s first female judge before the 1979 revolution forced her to step aside in favour of men — for fighting for children and women and for taking on cases others were too afraid to touch.

Ms Shirin Ebadi, 56, won from a record field of 165 candidates, including Pope John Paul and former Czech president Vaclav Havel. She said she was shocked but proud to learn she had won the prize.

“We hope that the prize will be an inspiration for all those who struggle for human rights and democracy in her country, in the Muslim world, and in all countries where the fight for human rights needs inspiration and support,” said the committee.

“This prize gives me the energy to continue my fight,” Ms Ebadi said at a news conference during a visit to Paris.

Shirin Ebadi is a lawyer and part-time lecturer at Tehran University. Jailed several times and once branded a threat to the Islamic system, she said she was honoured by messages of congratulation that came even from the Vatican.—Reuters