Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi boycotted the Oscars to protest Trump's Muslim Ban

The Salesman won Best Foreign Language Film tonight, but filmmaker Asghar Farhadi decided not to attend tonight's ceremony. Instead, he sent Iranian-American businesswoman Anousheh Ansari, the first Iranian to go to space, to accept the award and read a statement on his behalf. 

Here is the complete statement from Farhadi:

It’s a great honor to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I would like to thank the members of the academy, my crew in Iran, my producer Alexandre Mallet-Guy, Cohen Media, Amazon and my fellow nominees in the foreign-film category. 

I’m sorry I’m not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. 

Dividing the world into the "us" and "our enemies" categories creates fears. A deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in  countries which have themselves been victims of aggression. 

Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others. An empathy which we need today more than ever. Thank you.

I must say, boycotting an honor such as winning an Oscar is a bold sentiment by Farhadi, an action which I commend and support more than words can explain. 

These words were an inspiring break from bad jokes and raining candy at tonight's Oscars. Out of all the political statements, Farhadi put his money where his mouth is by defending his stance against Trump's Muslim Ban. The hashtag #NoBanNoWallNoRaids starting trending on Twitter after this statement was made. Many shared in Farhadi's success and commended his actions.