OSLO (AFP) - Iranian lawyer, Shirin Ebadi, was awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Friday, becoming the first Muslim woman to win the honor in the prize's 102-year history.

Ebadi, 56, is a human rights activist campaigning on behalf of women and children.

She is the 11th woman to win the coveted Nobel peace prize and the first ever Muslim woman.

Ebadi defended her religion -- Islam -- against charges that it is incompatible with the concept of human rights, and came out against any foreign intervention in her country.

"Islam is not incompatible with human rights and all Muslims should be glad of this prize. If you read the Qoran you will see there is nothing in it that is against human rights.

"For 20 years I have been putting out the message that it is possible to be Muslim and have laws that respect human rights," she said.