The biggest surprise of 2003 was when an Iranian human rights activist, Shirin Ebadi, became the first Iranian ever to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Yet, the Nobel committee referred to her as the first Muslim woman, completely denying her nationality, which angered Iranian nationalists. It is rumored Ebadi will appear on an up coming Oprah Winfrey Show while Ebadi tours the United States to promote her book. Iran's people have suffered enough cultural destruction from Islam, but now even the Nobel committee was denying Iranian nationality, and promoting Islam instead. Ebadi's Nobel Peace Prize made Iranians proud. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2003 to Shirin Ebadi for her efforts for democracy and human rights. She has focused especially on the campaign for the rights of women and children," as stated in the chairman's 2003 award speech. {C}