When Art Becomes a Bridge: Rice University Unveils ‘Woman Life Freedom’ Mural Honoring Iranian and Israeli Heroines
A powerful new mural now stands on the campus of Rice University—an extraordinary fusion of art, memory, and moral courage. Created by Iranian-American filmmaker and human rights advocate Hooman Khalili, the “Woman Life Freedom” mural is the first installation of its kind on a U.S. college campus. This public work of art brings together two modern heroines—Mahsa Amini and Shirel Haim-Pour—as symbols of resistance to oppression, Islamic extremism, and antisemitism.
More than 14,000 mosaic tiles compose the mural, forming the faces of both Iranian and Israeli women, woven into a unified call for truth, courage, and freedom. The mural is rich in symbolism and grounded in Scripture, featuring two biblical verses from Jeremiah that speak to God placing His throne in both Jerusalem and Elam—the ancient name for Iran. “It’s not just art—it’s prophecy in motion,” Khalili says. “This work is about truth. It’s about courage. And it’s about remembering what we stand for.”
The unveiling at Rice on June 5, 2025, marks the launch of a national tour to bring the “Woman Life Freedom” movement to universities across the United States. For Khalili, this is about more than art—it’s about building bridges between cultures and standing against radicalism. Dr. Moshe Vardi of Rice University, who partnered on the project, emphasized the broader implications: “Iranians and Israelis can be allies in the fight against radicalism. This is a powerful statement.”
The Holocaust Remembrance Association affirms this effort as a meaningful response to rising antisemitism and extremism. It embodies the very spirit of upstanders—those who do not stand by in the face of injustice. By uniting the legacy of Iran’s struggle for freedom with the memory of Israel’s pain and perseverance, this mural becomes a visual testimony to shared values, a shared past, and the hope of a shared future.
Click on the image above to watch a video to hear the thoughts of two attendees of the ceremony!
The Holocaust Remembrance Association exists to remember, reconcile, and take a stand against antisemitism in all its forms.
