Visionary Who Commissioned 18 Murals in Israel, Spotlighting the Women of Iran, Launches U.S. Campaign on 18 College Campuses

Groundbreaking Art Movement, Now Endorsed by State of Israel, Expands Amid Increased Human Rights Violations, Terrorism and Antisemitism

San Francisco, CA., Feb. 17, 2025 — After placing 18 murals across Israel to amplify the voices of Iranian women fighting oppression, Iranian-American human rights activist and artist Hooman Khalili is bringing his powerful "Woman Life Freedom" Mural Campaign to the United States, this time with an “Eyes on Iran” emphasis to commission 18 murals on 18

U.S. college campuses, bringing awareness to the courageous Iranian women in a fight for unity, against abuse, terrorism and antisemitism.

Inspired by the ongoing fight from the women of Iran in the ”Woman Life Freedom” movement, Hooman Khalili, a filmmaker, media personality and humanitarian, personally commissioned and financed 18 murals in Israel from January 2023 to October of 2024, placing them in key locations including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Eilat. Each piece tells a story of resistance, unity and hope, linking the plight of Iranian women under the Islamic regime

to the broader struggle for freedom. Many of the murals also highlight the historical and biblical connection between Persians and Jews, as well as the shared suffering of both peoples under Iranian-backed terrorism.

“Israel is the only Middle Eastern nation supporting the women of Iran,” shares Khalili. “These murals inspire the women of Iran to keep fighting.”

 Last week, the State of Israel sent a letter to formally endorse the movement as a “bridge between cultures” in its expansion to the United States, where college campuses have become battlegrounds for free speech, human rights and the fight against antisemitism. The murals will serve as visual reminders of the oppression faced by Iranian women and the dangers of extremism, while also exposing the influence of Iranian-backed groups terrorist groups like Hamas.

“As he now embarks on a new mission to bring 18 murals to 18 college campuses in the United States, we wholeheartedly endorse and support his efforts,” stated the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This initiative will serve as an extension of the work accomplished in Israel, continuing to shine a light on the shared struggle for justice while fostering unity between Israeli, Iranian, and American students.”

In this campaign, the number 18 remains significant in Christian, Jewish and universal contexts, symbolizing life and resilience. Extending this movement from Israel to America strengthens the bonds between those fighting for justice across borders and beliefs.

“The murals in Israel prove that art can challenge oppression, spark conversation and unite people across cultures,” Khalili says. “Now, we bring this vital message to the U.S., where students must recognize the global struggle against tyranny — including the Iranian regime’s role in funding terror, oppressing minorities and spreading antisemitism.”

A Movement Rooted in Courage and Unity

Since September 2022, the “Woman Life Freedom” movement has galvanized protests across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who was arrested and killed by Iran’s morality police for improper hijab. The protests have grown into the first women-led revolution in Iranian history, with demonstrators demanding basic human rights, freedom from gender apartheid and an end to the oppressive Islamic Republic.

Khalili’s murals promote solidarity, ensuring the world does not forget the fight for freedom in Iran. His work is deeply inspired by the biblical story of Esther, a Persian queen who risked her life to protect the Jewish people. This theme resonates strongly in his murals, which depict Iranian women standing up to their oppressors, much like Esther did centuries ago.

“Esthers of the world, rise up!” Khalili proclaimed at the unveiling of a mural at Jerusalem’s Museum of Tolerance earlier this year. “Women in Iran are risking their lives every day. They deserve a global movement standing with them.”

A Global Picture, Spotlighting Terrorism and a United Fight

he murals also serve as a direct counter to rising antisemitism on U.S. campuses, where Jewish students have faced hostility from groups sympathetic to Hamas and the Iranian regime. Khalili sees these murals as a way to expose the links between Iran’s dictatorship and the extremist ideologies being pushed on college campuses.

“By placing murals on 18 campuses, we will force the conversation about what is really happening—and who is funding the hate,” said Khalili.

As the Iranian government continues murdering these women – often shooting out their eyes as warning messages – Khalili’s motivation to share their story with the West as an “Eyes on Iran” focus will be conveyed in the murals. Khalili commends these figures, not only for their fight for freedom, but for

igniting conversations about the bigger picture of strategic war. These murals tell the stories of women who have given everything for freedom — some even their sight. It’s our responsibility not to look away and to amplify the truth they represent.

For more information, visit hooman.tv.

About Hooman Khalili

Hooman Khalili is an Iranian-American human rights activist, media personality, entrepreneur and philanthropist. With a diverse career, from interviewing top celebrities and directing the Oscar-contending film 'Olive,' to promoting over 1,000 movies, Hooman is known for his commitment to meaningful causes, including creating a viral video to encourage youth voting in 2008, serving the homeless in San Francisco and embarking on global mission work. Following the Iranian uprising in 2022, Hooman was invited by Israel to design murals supporting Iranian human rights and is currently developing a documentary to foster peace between Persians and Jews.