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Sexual has to Let’s turn this International be a thing of the past Women’s Day into a day of

Maryam Namazie protest against sexual apartheid

When you think about apartheid, you can’t help but remember the anti-apartheid movement of the 70s and 80s. At the time, there was The hundredth anniversary of March 8, International Women’s Day, is hardly anyone who lived in the West and hadn’t joined a demonstra- on its way. On this momentous occasion, we proclaim 2008 as the tion or sit-in, signed a petition, written a letter of protest, worn an anti- year against sexual apartheid. We call on people everywhere to con- apartheid badge and so on. During that time, the anti-apartheid move- demn sexual apartheid and the political Islamic movement that perpe- ment became the struggle or at least issue of concern for most every trates it, and to support egalitarian movements that courageously chal- decent human being. And you didn’t have to be black or South Afri- lenge it. can. The movement went beyond all those constructed divisions amongst people and went to the heart of being human. As a result of We invite all to sign the below declaration and call for an end to sexual the movement, everyone had come to know that apartheid was funda- apartheid. mentally wrong and that something had to be done. Eventually, apart- heid became despised and condemned. But it was not always so. Declaration

Racial apartheid was supported for years by Western governments. It We, the undersigned, unequivocally oppose sexual apartheid and the was justified and excused whether by ‘scientists’ who could ‘prove’ subjugation of millions of women living under Islamic rules and laws. that black people had smaller brains to organisations that said separate was still equal. We condemn regimes and the political Islamic movement that perpe- trate sexual apartheid, including in . It was the South African liberation movement and solidarity groups in the West that fought long and hard to expose Apartheid and chip away We support the legitimate struggle of millions of women and men for at its justifications in order to remove all the layers of propaganda and freedom, equality and universal rights. excuses, revealing Apartheid - naked and bare, as it truly was - an in- tolerable inhumanity. Sexual apartheid, like racial apartheid, has no place in the 21 century.

st Today, the same must be done with the apartheid of the 21 century - Warmest regards, sexual apartheid, and particularly in Iran as a pillar of . Just as a mass movement said no to racial Apartheid, so it must say no to the Hejab and segregation of women; no to the prevention of the - Mina Ahadi; Spokesperson of Equal Rights Now; Coordinator of the mixing of the sexes; no to discrimination, no to women being deemed International Committee against ; Spokesperson of the Council inferior, second class citizens and sub-human… of Ex-Muslims in Germany

On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, the Council - Maryam Namazie; Spokesperson of Equal Rights Now; Producer of of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Equal Rights Now - Organisation TV International English; Spokesperson of the Council of Ex- against Women’s Discrimination in Iran are proclaiming 2008 as the Muslims of Britain year against sexual apartheid. We are asking people everywhere to condemn sexual apartheid and the political Islamic movement that - Mahin Alipour; Coordinator of Equal Rights Now; Coordinator of perpetrates it, and to support egalitarian movements that courageously the International Campaign in Defence of Women’s Rights, Sweden challenge it.

No to Islamic Veil!

In Iran men and women are kept separated, separated, kept are women and men Iran In Sexual apartheid in Iran is even more de- more even is Iran in apartheid Sexual Page 3 Page

the regime of racial apartheid in South Africa. Africa. South in apartheid racial of regime the what we mean by Sexual apartheid. The The apartheid. Sexual by mean we what

Sexual apartheid ? It is the regime of impos- of regime the is It ? apartheid Sexual separation best conceivable if you remember remember you if conceivable best separation Hejab, in my opinion, explains very clearly clearly very explains opinion, my in Hejab,

lamic Republic to the world as a regime of of regime a as world the to Republic lamic sexes are equally subjected to the laws. It is a a is It laws. the to subjected equally are sexes

What’s the significance of presenting Is- presenting of significance the What’s fifty between men and women, or in that both both that in or women, and men between fifty channels. channels. gious

sense that social possibilities are divided fifty- divided are possibilities social that sense monopoly right to its use through proper reli- proper through use its to right monopoly

people. people. the problem. This is a separation, not in the the in not separation, a is This problem. the property of the person who has acquired the the acquired has who person the of property

and should be condemned by all progressive progressive all by condemned be should and : Separation is only a part of of part a only is Separation : Taqvaee Hamid to ensure that the commodity remains the the remains commodity the that ensure to

general which imprisons the whole society society whole the imprisons which general

themselves put it; or, in other words, in order order in words, other in or, it; put themselves

people, i.e., both men and women’s, lives? lives? women’s, and men both i.e., people, Sexual apartheid is an anti-human system in in system anti-human an is apartheid Sexual (non-kosher) glance, as they they as glance, (non-kosher) naamahram

what extent can it have an impact on the the on impact an have it can extent what them from women, and are insulted by it. it. by insulted are and women, from them in black in order to protect her from the the from her protect to order in black in

apartheid take on in society at large, and to to and large, at society in on take apartheid Men also suffer from the wall that separates separates that wall the from suffer also Men the logic behind Hejab: shrouding a woman woman a shrouding Hejab: behind logic the

Generally speaking, what dimensions can can dimensions what speaking, Generally

the monopoly ownership right to her. That is is That her. to right ownership monopoly the

ration of men from women, and vice versa? versa? vice and women, from men of ration at large, as well. well. as large, at erty of the husband; and now it is he who has has who he is it now and husband; the of erty

Does Sexual apartheid just mean the sepa- the mean just apartheid Sexual Does but insulting and degrading to men, or society society or men, to degrading and insulting but family. Once married, she becomes the prop- the becomes she married, Once family.

Sexual apartheid is not only against women, women, against only not is apartheid Sexual

her father, brothers, and other men in the the in men other and brothers, father, her

I must also emphasise here that the system of of system the that here emphasise also must I and strict sense of the word. word. the of sense strict and modity that, while still unmarried, belongs to to belongs unmarried, still while that, modity

is a state of Sexual apartheid in the explicit explicit the in apartheid Sexual of state a is Within such a context, a woman is a com- a is woman a context, a such Within

clearly than any other term. term. other any than clearly be kept apart. That is the reason why this state state this why reason the is That apart. kept be Islamic morality, is thought of as beguiling. beguiling. as of thought is morality, Islamic

the subjects them to - more more - to them subjects state Islamic the legally, that is, as far as the state is concerned, concerned, is state the as far as is, that legally, within the context of reactionary, religious, religious, reactionary, of context the within

tantly insulting, degrading discrimination that that discrimination degrading insulting, tantly cial life as a whole, men and women must must women and men whole, a as life cial ties, as it were; a sexual commodity that, that, commodity sexual a were; it as ties,

presses women’s condition in Iran - the bla- the - Iran in condition women’s presses monies, wedding parties; in short, in the so- the in short, in parties; wedding monies,

why I think the term “Sexual apartheid” ex- apartheid” “Sexual term the think I why beach, at recreational places, mourning cere- mourning places, recreational at beach,

through denying their human identity. That is is That identity. human their denying through ming pools, parks, on public routes, on the the on routes, public on parks, pools, ming

pressly and explicitly. It is insulting women women insulting is It explicitly. and pressly university classes, buses, sport fields, swim- fields, sport buses, classes, university

them of their rights. It is degrading them ex- them degrading is It rights. their of them vate parties and gatherings, in schools and and schools in gatherings, and parties vate

discrimination against women or depriving depriving or women against discrimination semblies, in group activities, and even in pri- in even and activities, group in semblies,

upon it. And this, I believe, goes far beyond beyond far goes believe, I this, And it. upon rates women from men in social life, in as- in life, social in men from women rates

the status quo, and thus not make ‘sin’ fall fall ‘sin’ make not thus and quo, status the ideological pillar of it. It is a state that sepa- that state a is It it. of pillar ideological

such a way as to not cause any disruption in in disruption any cause not to as way a such Islamic state’s judicial system, as well as an an as well as system, judicial state’s Islamic

society, therefore, women must behave in in behave must women therefore, society, dation of women is part and parcel of this this of parcel and part is women of dation

as unequal with men. Subjugation and degra- and Subjugation men. with unequal as relative to those of the men’s. In a patriarchal patriarchal a In men’s. the of those to relative

women are expressly and explicitly defined defined explicitly and expressly are women ing, your rights and social status are defined defined are status social and rights your ing,

state with laws and regulations in which which in regulations and laws with state sister, or a man’s wife, and, generally speak- generally and, wife, man’s a or sister,

officially, or legally, against women. It is a a is It women. against legally, or officially, women are sex objects, or sexual commodi- sexual or objects, sex are women individual, but a man’s daughter, or a man’s man’s a or daughter, man’s a but individual,

about their condition. The Iranian state is is state Iranian The condition. their about ore an Islamic state, state, Islamic an ore theref and Islam of view Islamic state you are, not a woman, not an an not woman, a not are, you state Islamic

cannot, by itself, convey the whole truth truth whole the convey itself, by cannot, you may ask? Because, from the point of of point the from Because, ask? may you men’s. From the standpoint of Islam and an an and Islam of standpoint the From men’s.

that women in Iran are deprived of their rights rights their of deprived are Iran in women that ual, from her surroundings. Why is that so, so, that is Why surroundings. her from ual, women’s existence is a function of that of the the of that of function a is existence women’s

way. It is, indeed, a misogynist state. Saying Saying state. misogynist a indeed, is, It way. deed, that separates a woman, as an individ- an as woman, a separates that deed, and so on, they all belong to men, and and men, to belong all they on, so and

-woman in a peculiar peculiar a in -woman anti is Republic Islamic item of clothing, or an outfit, but a wall, in- wall, a but outfit, an or clothing, of item recreational activities, ranks and positions, positions, and ranks activities, recreational

zens all over the world. In Iran, however, however, Iran, In world. the over all zens apartheid in Iran is the Hejab. Hejab is not an an not is Hejab Hejab. the is Iran in apartheid social activities, social presence, sport and and sport presence, social activities, social

crimination, and viewed as second-class citi- second-class as viewed and crimination, A symbol, or representative, of this system of of system this of representative, or symbol, A declaration of the fact that when it comes to to comes it when that fact the of declaration

women are subjected to oppression and dis- and oppression to subjected are women

clares that the society is patriarchal. It is the the is It patriarchal. is society the that clares

what we mean by Sexual apartheid. You see, see, You apartheid. Sexual by mean we what “half-of-men”, if you like. like. you if “half-of-men”, The existence of Hejab in and of itself de- itself of and in Hejab of existence The

especially women, have a clear perception of of perception clear a have women, especially and women are defined as subjects of men, as as men, of subjects as defined are women and

: I believe all Iranian people, people, Iranian all believe I : Taqvaee Hamid considered people, or members of the society, society, the of members or people, considered i.e., their face and/or their hair. hair. their and/or face their i.e.,

as a man’s society, in which only men are are men only which in society, man’s a as individuals, as women, to reveal their identity, identity, their reveal to women, as individuals,

apartheid ? ? apartheid regards to women. Here the society is defined defined is society the Here women. to regards while they are even deprived of the right, as as right, the of deprived even are they while

makes a regime of Sexual Sexual of regime a Republic Islamic makes It is the same under Islamic Republic, but in in but Republic, Islamic under same the is It blacks in the racist system of South Africa, Africa, South of system racist the in blacks

Why Sexual apartheid? What is it that that it is What apartheid? Sexual Why blacks were considered second-class citizens. citizens. second-class considered were blacks Iran, however, women are the counterparts of of counterparts the are women however, Iran,

Republic as a regime of Sexual apartheid. apartheid. Sexual of regime a as Republic was defined as a white society and, as a result, result, a as and, society white a as defined was of their skin would not beguile anyone! In In anyone! beguile not would skin their of

the international isolation of Islamic Islamic of isolation international the They were deprived of rights. The society society The rights. of deprived were They they wished, and the colour of exposed parts parts exposed of colour the and wished, they

apartheid !” as well as with efforts aimed at at aimed efforts with as well as !” apartheid blacks were not even considered people. people. considered even not were blacks and they could, as individuals, at least dress as as dress least at individuals, as could, they and

welcome it with the slogan “No to Sexual Sexual to “No slogan the with it welcome In the racial apartheid system of South Africa Africa South of system apartheid racial the In viewed as a beguiling force in whites’ lives lives whites’ in force beguiling a as viewed

communist Party of Iran has decided to to decided has Iran of Party communist superior and an inferior, or second-class, part. part. second-class, or inferior, an and superior South Africa. Because there blacks were not not were blacks there Because Africa. South

is approaching and Worker- and approaching is 8 Mach not as two equal parts of society, but as a a as but society, of parts equal two as not praved and inhuman than what existed in in existed what than inhuman and praved

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Interview with Hamid Taqvaee Taqvaee Hamid with Interview

Under Sexual apartheid the society is defined as a man’s society society man’s a as defined is society the apartheid Sexual Under

No Hejab No

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decisively significant step in this direction direction this in step significant decisively lamic Republic of Iran isolated and banned banned and isolated Iran of Republic lamic

of the fundamental slogans. A practical and and practical A slogans. fundamental the of and that is making every effort to get the Is- the get to effort every making is that and

tion of Sexual apartheid. This should be one one be should This apartheid. Sexual of tion something that we have always insisted on, on, insisted always have we that something

both inside and outside Iran, should be aboli- be should Iran, outside and inside both is also nothing new to us, but, on the contrary, contrary, the on but, us, to new nothing also is

, , that a chief demand of this year’s March 8 March year’s this of demand chief a that There is another point, another policy, which which policy, another point, another is There

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regime of Sexual apartheid, we can deduce deduce can we apartheid, Sexual of regime

from standing up against the Iranian state as a a as state Iranian the against up standing from men, and must therefore be abolished. abolished. be therefore must and men,

: As I said, when we start start we when said, I As : Taqvaee Hamid miliation and degradation of both women and and women both of degradation and miliation

crete examples of Sexual apartheid, of hu- of apartheid, Sexual of examples crete

heid? heid? and gatherings, and so on, these are all con- all are these on, so and gatherings, and

internationally as a regime of Sexual apart- Sexual of regime a as internationally tional facilities, and even in private parties parties private in even and facilities, tional

exposing and isolating Islamic Republic Republic Islamic isolating and exposing men at schools, universities, sport and recrea- and sport universities, schools, at men

What is the outline of activities necessary for for necessary activities of outline the is What already mentioned, separating women from from women separating mentioned, already

apartheid is not limited to Hejab. As I have have I As Hejab. to limited not is apartheid

ties with it. it. with ties women and of Sexual apartheid. But, Sexual Sexual But, apartheid. Sexual of and women

lamic state in Iran, and break their political political their break and Iran, in state lamic depraved forms of discrimination against against discrimination of forms depraved

UN, etc., demand that they condemn the Is- the condemn they that demand etc., UN,

sure on international organisations such as as such organisations international on sure

to condemn the Islamic Republic, exert pres- exert Republic, Islamic the condemn to

trade unions, etc., to that issue, and ask them them ask and issue, that to etc., unions, trade

extensively than ever before. before. ever than extensively ist, secular and human rights institutions, institutions, rights human and secular ist,

inhuman face the Islamic state in Iran more more Iran in state Islamic the face inhuman organisations, as well as progressive, human- progressive, as well as organisations,

be able to present the world with the hideous, hideous, the with world the present to able be creasingly draw the attention women’s rights rights women’s attention the draw creasingly

this year we will will we year this world scale, and are hoping to be able to in- to able be to hoping are and scale, world tently. I hope on March 8 March on hope I tently.

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apartheid is something that we pursue on a a on pursue we that something is apartheid party which we pursue earnestly and consis- and earnestly pursue we which party

condemning the regime as a regime of Sexual Sexual of regime a as regime the condemning campaign of ours, but a pivotal policy of our our of policy pivotal a but ours, of campaign

demand for abolition of Sexual apartheid and and apartheid Sexual of abolition for demand Calling for its isolation is not an occasional occasional an not is isolation its for Calling imposing Hejab is one of the most blatantly blatantly most the of one is Hejab imposing

on women shall remain unchanged; while our our while unchanged; remain shall women on Islamic Republic from the world community. community. world the from Republic Islamic tensive levels, that is, in its entirety. True, True, entirety. its in is, that levels, tensive

as a symbolic action. Our call call Our action. symbolic a as occasions for calling for the banning of the the of banning the for calling for occasions sented and attacked the issue on its more ex- more its on issue the attacked and sented on March 8 March on

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is only one of the the of one only is I should add that March 8 March that add should I against it, by so doing we will not have pre- have not will we doing so by it, against mobilize against Hejab, so that women unveil unveil women that so Hejab, against mobilize

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we focus solely on Hejab, and agitate only only agitate and Hejab, on solely focus we therefore, make us all the more determined to to determined more the all us make therefore,

hinge on it. it. on hinge activities our and However, we should also bear in mind that if if that mind in bear also should we However, gime as a regime of Sexual apartheid should, should, apartheid Sexual of regime a as gime

country as non-human. This must be shown, shown, be must This non-human. as country

on exposing and standing up against the re- the against up standing and exposing on

officially considers half the population of the the of population the half considers officially down the wall of Sexual apartheid . . apartheid Sexual of wall the down tinue to play a pivotal role; and our emphasis emphasis our and role; pivotal a play to tinue

state in South Africa, and how it legally and and legally it how and Africa, South in state against Sexual apartheid, and practically bring bring practically and apartheid, Sexual against women in Iran, Hejab will, of course, con- course, of will, Hejab Iran, in women

depraved than the previous racial-apartheid racial-apartheid previous the than depraved women can individually take action, stand up up stand action, take individually can women In the direct anti-regime struggles of the the of struggles anti-regime direct the In

of the world why this state is not much less less much not is state this why world the of the Hejab or unveiling is a field in which which in field a is unveiling or Hejab the

world. We will endeavor to show the people people the show to endeavor will We world. our emphatic slogan this year too. Taking off off Taking too. year this slogan emphatic our state in Iran as a gender-apartheid state. state. gender-apartheid a as Iran in state

stances of this apartheid before the eyes of the the of eyes the before apartheid this of stances apartheid, and the slogan “unveil!” remains remains “unveil!” slogan the and apartheid, “Sexual apartheid”, and expose the Islamic Islamic the expose and apartheid”, “Sexual

We will try to hold up the examples and in- and examples the up hold to try will We cific form, an outstanding feature, of Sexual Sexual of feature, outstanding an form, cific the reasons we believe we must focus on on focus must we believe we reasons the

forces, etc., as a regime of Sexual apartheid. apartheid. Sexual of regime a as etc., forces, policy or a different slogan. Hejab is a spe- a is Hejab slogan. different a or policy racist regime in South Africa. That is one of of one is That Africa. South in regime racist

organisations, trade unions, progressive progressive unions, trade organisations, do not mean we are following a different different a following are we mean not do human and anti-humanity than the former former the than anti-humanity and human

Republic condemned by women’s rights rights women’s by condemned Republic demand the abolition of Sexual apartheid, we we apartheid, Sexual of abolition the demand in Iran. This regime is in no way less anti- less way no in is regime This Iran. in

tests and so on - to, as I said, have the Islamic Islamic the have said, I as to, - on so and tests tion of Hejab. So, when we emphatically emphatically we when So, Hejab. of tion protest against the regime of Sexual apartheid apartheid Sexual of regime the against protest

make every effort - through leafleting, pro- leafleting, through - effort every make from the rest of the society. That is the func- the is That society. the of rest the from world to mobilise and raise their voice of of voice their raise and mobilise to world

As for our activities outside Iran, we will will we Iran, outside activities our for As forced to separate herself, as an individual, individual, an as herself, separate to forced lel, will also help us call on the people of the the of people the on call us help also will lel,

personal level. Through Hejab a woman is is woman a Hejab Through level. personal down. This background, this historical paral- historical this background, This down.

taking a step forward by taking off the Hejab. Hejab. the off taking by forward step a taking token, of Sexual apartheid. It is apartheid on a a on apartheid is It apartheid. Sexual of token, African regime was defeated and brought brought and defeated was regime African

movement, and is quite capable of of capable quite is and movement, expansive As I have already said, Hejab is a symbol, a a symbol, a is Hejab said, already have I As international mobilisation, that the South South the that mobilisation, international

movement in Iran is a vital, dynamic, and and dynamic, vital, a is Iran in movement : These two are not separable. separable. not are two These : Taqvaee Hamid a result of a global awakening, as well as an an as well as awakening, global a of result a

The women’s rights rights women’s The Hejab. against protest

cott and break their relations with it. It was as as was It it. with relations their break and cott

level? level? “improper Hejab”, that is, for their practical practical their for is, that Hejab”, “improper against it, and even forced other states to boy- to states other forced even and it, against

out on a daily basis in the streets on a vast vast a on streets the in basis daily a on out lion women have been arrested for wearing wearing for arrested been have women lion progressive people of the world rose up up rose world the of people progressive

gles against Hejab; struggles that are carried carried are that struggles Hejab; against gles during the past few months, more than a mil- a than more months, few past the during caused the fall of the racist regime was that that was regime racist the of fall the caused

heid would overshadow the people’s strug- people’s the overshadow would heid According to the regime’s own statistics, statistics, own regime’s the to According tionary nature. One of the things that at last last at that things the of One nature. tionary

placing so much emphasis on Sexual apart- Sexual on emphasis much so placing well as other aspects of Sexual apartheid. apartheid. Sexual of aspects other as well apartheid system in South Africa and its reac- its and Africa South in system apartheid

Sexual apartheid? Do you not think that that think not you Do apartheid? Sexual and has continually protested against Hejab as as Hejab against protested continually has and the world still vividly remembers the racial racial the remembers vividly still world the

that matter, not more comprehensive than than comprehensive more not matter, that the day the Islamic Republic came to power, power, to came Republic Islamic the day the the people across the world; particularly as as particularly world; the across people the

ing women of some other their rights for for rights their other some of women ing movement in Iran has been active ever since since ever active been has Iran in movement rights, and reveals its misogynist character to to character misogynist its reveals and rights,

of Sexual apartheid ”? Is Hejab, or depriv- or Hejab, Is ”? apartheid Sexual of us not forget that the women’s liberation liberation women’s the that forget not us that it deprives women of their inalienable inalienable their of women deprives it that

you put a special emphasis on “the regime regime “the on emphasis special a put you for a limited span of time is quite feasible. Let Let feasible. quite is time of span limited a for expresses, almost comprehensively, the fact fact the comprehensively, almost expresses,

women of dozens of other rights. Why do do Why rights. other of dozens of women as a protest gesture and and gesture protest a as it were, on March 8 March on were, it ual apartheid. The phras The apartheid. ual e “Sexual apartheid” apartheid” “Sexual e

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ing Hejab as well as the regime of robbing robbing of regime the as well as Hejab ing will be putting aside the Hejab. Unveiling, as as Unveiling, Hejab. the aside putting be will from the rest of the world as a regime of Sex- of regime a as world the of rest the from

No Hejab No

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ead struggle for freedom and equality in Iran. Iran. in equality and freedom for struggle ead widespr the support to and effort international

rights organisations and all secularists to join this this join to secularists all and organisations rights women advocates, rights women’s all on call We Iran. in

[email protected] [email protected] hening the women’s freedom and emancipation movement movement emancipation and freedom women’s the hening strengt in factor important an is and scale global

Sohaila Sharifi Sharifi Sohaila in Iran is an important goal of the organisation on a a on organisation the of goal important an is Iran in regime apartheid sexual the against movement national

Editor: Editor: solidarity with the struggle of people for equality between women and men and forming a widespread inter- widespread a forming and men and women between equality for people of struggle the with solidarity

oned freedom of people. Strengthening international international Strengthening people. of freedom oned unconditi and men and women of rights equal the tees

should be replaced with a secular state that guaran- that state secular a with replaced be should it isolated; be should Iran in regime apartheid sexual The

Europe. Europe.

[email protected] email: at can be viewed in Iran, the Middle East and in in and East Middle the Iran, in viewed be can at th programme TV a and periodical a has Now Rights Equal

www.equal-rights-now.com members of central council of Equal Rights Now. Now. Rights Equal of council central of members

, Shahnaz Moratab, and Shiva Mahboobi are the the are Mahboobi Shiva and Moratab, Shahnaz , Masori Manouchehr Masori, Mahnaz Moradi, Fereshteh

Mahboubeh Siyahmardi, Mercede Ghaedi, Asqar Karimi, Karimi, Asqar Ghaedi, Mercede Siyahmardi, Mahboubeh Sharifi, Sohaila Daneshfar, Shahla Daneshi, Mitra every possible way! way! possible every

Mahin Alipour is the general secretary, Zari Asli, Asli, Zari secretary, general the is Alipour Mahin spokespersons, the are Ahadi Mina and Namazie Maryam Support Equal Rights Now in in Now Rights Equal Support

important area of its activity. activity. its of area important an as scale international an on Islam

nt and the struggle against political political against struggle the and nt moveme secularist the in ticipation par considers Now Rights Equal ists.

ssive, and libertarian forces, movements, and activ- and movements, forces, libertarian and ssive, progre leftwing, movement, freedom women of activists spokeswoman

Maryam Namazie Namazie Maryam 6-Introducing the women’s freedom movement in Iran to the world; obtaining the support of international international of support the obtaining world; the to Iran in movement freedom women’s the 6-Introducing

immediate demands and problems of women’s freedom movement in Iran. Iran. in movement freedom women’s of problems and demands immediate

al campaigns for for campaigns al politic conducting ugh thro forefront the to leaders lute reso and continuous, radical, of line

rticular demands in different areas and bringing a a bringing and areas different in demands rticular pa women’s around organisations open build to 5-Striving

are obstacles in the path to women’s emancipation. emancipation. women’s to path the in obstacles are thus and systems legal and laws religious to yield

s and organisations, which flirt with religion and and religion with flirt which organisations, and s movement political deciphering and Criticising demands.

4-Uniting and unifying the women’s freedom movement around egalitarian, radical, maximalist and secular secular and maximalist radical, egalitarian, around movement freedom women’s the unifying and 4-Uniting

supports these demands and the ongoing struggle for their realisation. realisation. their for struggle ongoing the and demands these supports

arian women and men in Iran; Equal Rights Now fully fully Now Rights Equal Iran; in men and women arian libert of demands immediate three the are apartheid

freedom in dress, and absolute abolition of sexual sexual of abolition absolute and dress, in freedom veil, of Abolition women. against apparatus pressive

rengthened, become legalised and been used as an op- an as used been and legalised become rengthened, st been have traditions these Republic Islamic the of

, backward, and misogynist traditions. Under the rule rule the Under traditions. misogynist and backward, , religious of forms all and patriarchy against 3-Fighting

spokeswoman

em, and social affairs of people women cannot be free. free. be cannot women people of affairs social and em, syst education state, the with interfere laws religious Mina Ahadi Ahadi Mina

laws, by their nature, are in total contrast with women’s rights and freedoms. In a society where religion and and religion where society a In freedoms. and rights women’s with contrast total in are nature, their by laws,

nd humiliation of women are among the bases of all religions; religious religious religions; all of bases the among are women of humiliation nd a subjugation Patriarchy, people. of

De-religionisation of society and all social affairs affairs social all and society of De-religionisation education. from and state the from religion of 2-Separation

society. society.

and complete equality between women and men in in men and women between equality complete and true achieving women; against rights of deprivation

abolishing any form of oppression, humiliation, and and humiliation, oppression, of form any abolishing women; against discrimination of form any 1-Ending

Equal Rights Now has the following on its agenda: agenda: its on following the has Now Rights Equal

Iran depends on this international solidarity. solidarity. international this on depends Iran in victory Its discrimination. and inequality of

Equal Rights Now also belongs to the international struggle for the emancipation of women from all forms forms all from women of emancipation the for struggle international the to belongs also Now Rights Equal

men in all legal, social, economic, political, and cultural areas. areas. cultural and political, economic, social, legal, all in men

general secretary general ate task. Our goal is abolition of sexual discriminati sexual of abolition is goal Our task. ate on and achieving complete equality between women and and women between equality complete achieving and on

Mahin Alipour Alipour Mahin Equal Rights Now belongs to this m this to belongs Now Rights Equal ovement and sets organising and unify and organising sets and ovement ing this movement as its immedi- its as movement this ing

culture. culture.

regulations in every arena from the streets and sc and streets the from arena every in regulations hools to factories and universities, and in art and and art in and universities, and factories to hools

against sexual oppression, sexual apartheid, compulsory Islamic veiling, misogynist laws and and laws misogynist veiling, Islamic compulsory apartheid, sexual oppression, sexual against

violations of the most basic women’s rights and freedoms, there is a widespread social movement movement social widespread a is there freedoms, and rights women’s basic most the of violations

and men in all areas. In Iran, despite the atrocities of the Islamic regime and routine and brutal brutal and routine and regime Islamic the of atrocities the despite Iran, In areas. all in men and

dom and emancipation of women, abolishing sexual discrimination, and equality between women women between equality and discrimination, sexual abolishing women, of emancipation and dom

“Equal Rights Now- Organisation Against Women’s Discrimination in Iran” struggles for free- for struggles Iran” in Discrimination Women’s Against Organisation Now- Rights “Equal

Organisation Against Women’s Discrimination in Iran Iran in Discrimination Women’s Against Organisation

Equal Rights Now Now Rights Equal

No Hejab No

4 Page

women’s day and against sexual apartheid sexual against and day women’s

commemoration of the 100th anniversary of international international of anniversary 100th the of commemoration

in Stockholm, Sweden in in Sweden Stockholm, in held was conference successful A

tion for Women’s Freedom in Iraq. Iraq. in Freedom Women’s for tion Organisa the and Association, manist

manist Association, the Gay and Lesbian Hu- Lesbian and Gay the Association, manist Hu British the Society, Secular National the by endorsed and Iran, in rights

The seminar is organised by Council of Ex-Muslims of Br of Ex-Muslims of Council by organised is seminar The an organisation for women's women's for organisation an Now, Rights Equal and itain

ge; donations are welcome. welcome. are donations ge; char of free is event The

Association Humanist British the of Executive Chief Stinson Hanne

Chair:

columnist and human rights activist activist rights human and columnist Novelist, Smith Joan

Society Honorary Associate Associate Honorary Society Secular National

Spokesperson, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Equal Rights Now, Now, Rights Equal and Britain of Ex-Muslims of Council Spokesperson, Namazie Maryam

for Women's Freedom in Iraq Iraq in Freedom Women's for Organisation Spokesperson, Mahmoud Houzan

Chair of Unison's Regional Women's Women's Regional Unison's of Chair Couling Louise Committee and member of the National Executive Council Council Executive National the of member and Committee

2007 NSS Secularist of the Year Year the of Secularist NSS 2007

Spokesperson, Council of Ex-Muslims of Germany and Equal Rights Now; Now; Rights Equal and Germany of Ex-Muslims of Council Spokesperson, Ahadi Mina

Speakers:

Monday, March 10, from 6:30-9 from 10, March Monday, London Hall, ay Conw at :30pm

Women's Day Day Women's

A seminar in commemoration of the the of commemoration in seminar A 100th anniversary of International International of anniversary 100th

Sexual apartheid, political Islam and women's rights rights women's and Islam political apartheid, Sexual

No Hejab No

5 Page

Long Live Freedom and Equality and Freedom Live Long

our world. world. our back. They rebelled in their own little and and little own their in rebelled They back. of the world, while the followers of cultural cultural of followers the while world, the of

to do our bit. We can make a difference to to difference a make can We bit. our do to ple never completely gave in. they fought fought they in. gave completely never ple traditional image of Iranian women to the rest rest the to women Iranian of image traditional

with their own good action. It is now up to us us to up now is It action. good own their with women and masses of freedom loving peo- loving freedom of masses and women media have been trying to sell a religious, religious, a sell to trying been have media

and change the course of history and mark it it mark and history of course the change and throwing acid on the made up faces. But But faces. up made the on acid throwing While the western governments and western western and governments western the While

been destined to have and decided to step out out step to decided and have to destined been women’s heads, cutting uncovered legs and and legs uncovered cutting heads, women’s

men who refused to accept the fate they had had they fate the accept to refused who men working places, literally pinning the veil to to veil the pinning literally places, working criminatory laws in Iran. Iran. in laws criminatory

women’s day is full of brave women and and women brave of full is day women’s ing women, dismissing them from their their from them dismissing women, ing movement against sexual apartheid and dis- and apartheid sexual against movement

particular the history of international international of history the particular the government that won, brutally suppress- brutally won, that government the only few examples of a strong and growing growing and strong a of examples few only

and gains. At the beginning it was usually usually was it beginning the At gains. and and private lives. The list is long and these are are these and long is list The lives. private and thing and today is the day. The history and in in and history The day. the is today and thing

many attacks and counter attacks and loses loses and attacks counter and attacks many thy want religion to stay out of their public public their of out stay to religion want thy ruled by apartheid. It is up to us to do some- do to us to up is It apartheid. by ruled

other side. In this battlefield there had been been had there battlefield this In side. other nized human rights to govern their lives and and lives their govern to rights human nized and the international solidarity with people people with solidarity international the and

inhumane laws ruling their lives on the the on lives their ruling laws inhumane secular state. They want internationally recog- internationally want They state. secular what with the racial apartheid in south Africa Africa south in apartheid racial the with what

men who refuse to accept reactionary and and reactionary accept to refuse who men women in Iran want a secular society and a a and society secular a want Iran in women ence in dealing with apartheid governments, governments, apartheid with dealing in ence

on the one side and masses of women and and women of masses and side one the on organisation in Iran showed that 71% of of 71% that showed Iran in organisation especially the western world has got experi- got has world western the especially

security services and police and other forces forces other and police and services security women in Iran. A survey done by a women women a by done survey A Iran. in women tions with Iranian government. The world and and world The government. Iranian with tions

and its battalion of mullahs and clergies and and clergies and mullahs of battalion its and attempts to force the proper Islamic Hijab on on Hijab Islamic proper the force to attempts manding that our governments break connec- break governments our that manding

resembles a battlefield with the government government the with battlefield a resembles cially announced they have failed in their their in failed have they announced cially from the international organisations, by de- by organisations, international the from

tory laws. The Iranian society very much much very society Iranian The laws. tory sources the government authorities have offi- have authorities government the sources demanding Iranian government’s isolation isolation government’s Iranian demanding

to fight against inequality and discrimina- and inequality against fight to code, and again according to the same same the to according again and code, sexual apartheid in Iran. We can do that by by that do can We Iran. in apartheid sexual

government, a mass movement has formed formed has movement mass a government, beaten up for not observing the Islamic dress dress Islamic the observing not for up beaten We have to demand an immediate end to to end immediate an demand to have We

ning of coming to power of the Islamic Islamic the of power to coming of ning women have been arrested, flogged, fined and and fined flogged, arrested, been have women and fight for a secular and humane society. society. humane and secular a for fight and

At the same time and from the very begin- very the from and time same the At the course of six months more than a million million a than more months six of course the thing about it. We have to form a united front front united a form to have We it. about thing

blind eye on all these for a long time. time. long a for these all on eye blind to defy them. According to the authorities in in authorities the to According them. defy to twenty first century and we have to do some- do to have we and century first twenty

nately the rest of the world has turned a a turned has world the of rest the nately ment introduces the more women find ways ways find women more the introduces ment against human being is totally unaccepted in in unaccepted totally is being human against

heid ruling women’s lives and unfortu- and lives women’s ruling heid the contrary, the more restrictions the govern- the restrictions more the contrary, the ual apartheid or any kind of discrimination discrimination of kind any or apartheid ual

valued in women. There is a sexual apart- sexual a is There women. in valued have never stopped women from trying on on trying from women stopped never have that ordinary men in that society enjoy. Sex- enjoy. society that in men ordinary that

and being independent are not qualities qualities not are independent being and their lives. The unfair and unjust regulations regulations unjust and unfair The lives. their lives and they are deprived of the little rights rights little the of deprived are they and lives

ing make up, showing your hair, going out out going hair, your showing up, make ing university and study and do something about about something do and study and university reaches deep inside their private and public public and private their inside deep reaches

at home and look after their family. Wear- family. their after look and home at a job in the market, they still insist to go to to go to insist still they market, the in job a as possible. The long arm of religious law law religious of arm long The possible. as

public of Iran, women must cover up, stay stay up, cover must women Iran, of public many of these girls will never manage to find find to manage never will girls these of many citizens who should be heard and seen as little little as seen and heard be should who citizens

brutal way. According to the Islamic re- Islamic the to According way. brutal places for girls and women. Even though though Even women. and girls for places women are officially second or even third third even or second officially are women

and more than often she is punished in a a in punished is she often than more and go to university and even limiting university university limiting even and university to go legalised sexual apartheid through which which through apartheid sexual legalised

and many other dysfunctions of the society society the of dysfunctions other many and ties, trying hard to dissuade young women to to women young dissuade to hard trying ties, and power, but what is happening in Iran is a a is Iran in happening is what but power, and

the blame for rape, prostitution, corruption corruption prostitution, rape, for blame the has caused great concern among the authori- the among concern great caused has male chauvinist ideas have got any ground ground any got have ideas chauvinist male

and commit terrible sins. She usually gets gets usually She sins. terrible commit and girls and young women and no wonder this this wonder no and women young and girls the world, wherever traditional, religious and and religious traditional, wherever world, the

is the one causing men to loose their minds minds their loose to men causing one the is 60% of all students in higher education are are education higher in students all of 60% destroyed and humiliated in different parts of of parts different in humiliated and destroyed

and the cause of most social problems. She She problems. social most of cause the and the right to divorce. No wonder more than than more wonder No divorce. to right the stories of women who have been oppressed, oppressed, been have who women of stories

gious laws, a woman is considered the root root the considered is woman a laws, gious They fought for custody of their children and and children their of custody for fought They rendous and unique in a way. We hear sad sad hear We way. a in unique and rendous

women. In Iran and according to the reli- the to according and Iran In women. went out and studied and tried to find jobs. jobs. find to tried and studied and out went What is happening to women in Iran is hor- is Iran in women to happening is What

criminals by nature, just by being born born being by just nature, by criminals to stay at home and be mere servants, they they servants, mere be and home at stay to

girls in Iran grew up to realise that they they that realise to up grew Iran in girls government back step by step. They refused refused They step. by step back government and for freedom. freedom. for and

right and equality. Thousands of young young of Thousands equality. and right ued and women have managed to force the the force to managed have women and ued fought none stop for a better life, for equality equality for life, better a for stop none fought

pressing any activities demanding women’s women’s demanding activities any pressing veiling. Ever since, this struggle has contin- has struggle this since, Ever veiling. r equality and freedom freedom and equality r fo cared who those and

has formed brutally oppressing and sup- and oppressing brutally formed has ayatollah Khomeini’s Fatwa for compulsory compulsory for Fatwa Khomeini’s ayatollah with a fascist government, Iranian women women Iranian government, fascist a with

been attacked and a sexual apartheid state state apartheid sexual a and attacked been tions on 8 March 1979, only few days after after days few only 1979, March 8 on tions Iran to justify their economic connections connections economic their justify to Iran

lamic republic, the women’s rights have have rights women’s the republic, lamic organised by women activists and organisa- and activists women by organised moderate president or politician figures in in figures politician or president moderate

very beginning of coming to power of Is- of power to coming of beginning very The first major demonstration in Iran was was Iran in demonstration major first The the western politicians were looking for a a for looking were politicians western the

ticular for Iranian women. Right from the the from Right women. Iranian for ticular

own culture and must be respected” , while while , respected” be must and culture own

gling times for Iranian people and in par- in and people Iranian for times gling great deal. deal. great what is happening to women in Iran is “their “their is Iran in women to happening is what

The past twenty nine years have been strug- been have years nine twenty past The great ways and so far they have achieved a a achieved have they far so and ways great relativism were trying to persuade people that that people persuade to trying were relativism

Sohaila Sharifi Sharifi Sohaila

sexual apartheid apartheid sexual

Women’s liberation in Iran, the struggle against against struggle the Iran, in liberation Women’s

No Hejab No

6 Page

Discrimination to No

cuses law and even attempts to dispel dispel to attempts even and law sharia cuses rights to women they don’t have under Eng- under have don’t they women to rights

in Britain to prove it. it. prove to Britain in Also, like the Islamists he justifies and ex- and justifies he Islamists the like Also, According to Mogra, sharia will even give give even will sharia Mogra, to According

s and freedoms here here freedoms and s right many have we and

is vying for power and influence in the west. west. the in influence and power for vying is

friends that backwardness is never inevitable inevitable never is backwardness that friends tion, inequality and culturally relative rights. rights. relative culturally and inequality tion, political Islamic movement becomes when it it when becomes movement Islamic political

His is merely a prescription for discrimina- for prescription a merely is His interesting how pro-women's ‘choices’ the the ‘choices’ pro-women's how interesting Nonetheless, we need to remind him and his his and him remind to need we Nonetheless,

same as having the ‘right’ to religious law. law. religious to ‘right’ the having as same selves of sharia law will 'choose' to do so. It is is It so. do to 'choose' will law sharia of selves

ever, having the right to a religion is not the the not is religion a to right the having ever, Mogra implies that those who avail them- avail who those that implies Mogra little too clever for his own good. good. own his for clever too little

Clearly, how- Clearly, state.’ secular a within groups

time, though, the archbishop may have been a a been have may archbishop the though, time,

‘rights of religious religious of ‘rights the of defence a is sharia forth’. so and dren ism’s role by going to the Islamists. This This Islamists. the to going by role ism’s

racist language to assert that his defence of of defence his that assert to language racist riage, divorce, inheritance, custody of chil- of custody inheritance, divorce, riage, dling position in society and reduce secular- reduce and society in position dling

Moreover, like the Islamists, he uses anti- uses he Islamists, the like Moreover, to be governed with regards to their mar- their to regards with governed be to port for religion in power, safeguard its dwin- its safeguard power, in religion for port

ilies when they choose choose they when ilies fam Muslim for Sharia attempt by the archbishop to muster up sup- up muster to archbishop the by attempt

accept sharia law. law. sharia accept ‘small aspects of of aspects ‘small cover only will councils This whole scandal is in my view a feeble feeble a view my in is scandal whole This

power and have not accepted nor ever will will ever nor accepted not have and power Ibrahim Mogra of the MCB says the sharia sharia the says MCB the of Mogra Ibrahim

to the Islamists have resisted and fled Islam in in Islam fled and resisted have Islamists the to trary, we are told that we need not worry. worry. not need we that told are we trary, and often vis-à-vis religion in power. power. in religion vis-à-vis often and

number of those of us he wishes to hand over over hand to wishes he us of those of number Despite mountains of evidence to the con- the to evidence of mountains Despite women’s and children’s position in society society in position children’s and women’s

in the Middle Ages. On the contrary, a large large a contrary, the On Ages. Middle the in

over centuries in order to improve people’s, people’s, improve to order in centuries over

century humanity would choose to live live to choose would humanity century of 21 of prisons.’ prisons.’ been fought for by progressive movements movements progressive by for fought been

st

‘freely’ choose sharia implies that the masses masses the that implies sharia choose ‘freely’ don’t accept it they’ll need more and more more and more need they’ll it accept don’t the laws that sharia courts aim to avoid have have avoid to aim courts sharia that laws the

rywhere. But to imply that ‘Muslims’ would would ‘Muslims’ that imply to But rywhere. they accept it, it is for their good and if they they if and good their for is it it, accept they safeguard rights not violate them. Many of of Many them. violate not rights safeguard

Of course Islamists want sharia here and eve- and here sharia want Islamists course Of ‘We want to offer it to the British society. If If society. British the to it offer to want ‘We And by the way, laws are generally meant to to meant generally are laws way, the by And

to be Muslims on the other. other. the on Muslims be to this crime at all. all. at crime this countries like Iran against these very aspects. aspects. very these against Iran like countries

the one hand and Muslims and those deemed deemed those and Muslims and hand one the adulterer is stoned nobody is going to commit commit to going is nobody stoned is adulterer struggle for women's rights has taken shape in in shape taken has rights women's for struggle

political Islamic movement and Islamists on on Islamists and movement Islamic political ‘Once just only once if an an if once only just ‘Once dream: can’t he that women living under Islamic law. Much of the the of Much law. Islamic under living women

deliberately fails to differentiate between the the between differentiate to fails deliberately lamic states. This, however, doesn’t mean mean doesn’t however, This, states. lamic they are important pillars in the oppression of of oppression the in pillars important are they

he he law,’ sharia under live to freedom the a spokesperson for the MCB, the job of Is- of job the MCB, the for spokesperson a ‘small aspects’ to Mogra and the MCB but but MCB the and Mogra to aspects’ ‘small

‘Muslim communities in this country seek seek country this in communities ‘Muslim like ‘judges’ at these sharia courts or councils and and councils or courts sharia these at ‘judges’ Marriage, divorce, child custody may be be may custody child divorce, Marriage,

violations of rights. By using terminology terminology using By rights. of violations according to Suhaib Hasan, one of the the of one Hasan, Suhaib to according

rights language to help justify regression and and regression justify help to language rights from cranes in Trafalgar Square. That is - - is That Square. Trafalgar in cranes from it.’ accept to have you exception, no is

Like the Islamists, Rowan Williams uses uses Williams Rowan Islamists, the Like terers or the hanging of apostates like myself myself like apostates of hanging the or terers is no exception to this rule, in the sharia there there sharia the in rule, this to exception no is

nor do the Islamists want the stoning of adul- of stoning the want Islamists the do nor there there ‘ courts: kangaroo these of one in ruling

access or - as in his case - maintain power). power). maintain - case his in as - or access Of course the archbishop is not referring to to referring not is archbishop the course Of Hasan says to the woman who questions his his questions who woman the to says Hasan

(with lessons for religious groups aiming to to aiming groups religious for lessons (with

not the same as a different interpretation. As As interpretation. different a as same the not

guide on diminishing the role of secularism of role the diminishing on guide dark because its reality is even darker. darker. even is reality its because dark need to remind them that a ‘small aspect’ is is aspect’ ‘small a that them remind to need

gaining access to political power and a how to to how a and power political to access gaining ‘adultery’ in Iran, the image of Islamic law is is law Islamic of image the Iran, in ‘adultery’ England will be a ‘moderate interpretation,’ I I interpretation,’ ‘moderate a be will England

out quite concisely the Islamist strategy for for strategy Islamist the concisely quite out two sisters Zohreh and Azar Kabiri-niat for for Kabiri-niat Azar and Zohreh sisters two And for those rejoicing that sharia law in in law sharia that rejoicing those for And

Let’s be frank. The Archbishop’s lecture lays lays lecture Archbishop’s The frank. be Let’s stoning of of stoning by death of sentence recent the and

Kambakhsh in Afghanistan for blasphemy blasphemy for Afghanistan in Kambakhsh Mogra. Mogra.

large. large. From the death sentence imposed on Parwiz Parwiz on imposed sentence death the From the likes of Suhaib Hasan and Ibrahim Ibrahim and Hasan Suhaib of likes the

for real live human beings and our society at at society our and beings human live real for

hostage in virtual Bantustans at the mercy of of mercy the at Bantustans virtual in hostage

still grappling with its adverse implications implications adverse its with grappling still is frightening. frightening. is rights they have and deserve and leave them them leave and deserve and have they rights

rushed to his defence whilst the rest of us are are us of rest the whilst defence his to rushed Clearly, though, it frightens people because it it because people frightens it though, Clearly, most vulnerable women and girls, deny them them deny girls, and women vulnerable most

ain, and UK Islamic Sharia Council have all all have Council Sharia Islamic UK and ain,

increase intimidation and threats against the the against threats and intimidation increase

has. Hizb ut Tahrir, Muslim Council of Brit- of Council Muslim Tahrir, ut Hizb has. word'. the of tion world, even ‘small aspects of sharia’ will will sharia’ of aspects ‘small even world,

- or for that matter archbishop - proud. And it it And proud. - archbishop matter that for or - suspicion of all their work by the mere men- mere the by work their all of suspicion Despite their deceptive claims, in the real real the in claims, deceptive their Despite

gious Law in England would do any Islamist Islamist any do would England in Law gious for fear of frightening people or arousing arousing or people frightening of fear for and he can walk out on her when he wants.’ he when her on out walk can he and

Rowan Williams’ lecture on Civil and Reli- and Civil on lecture Williams’ Rowan tuals do not dare even to refer to the concept concept the to refer to even dare not do tuals she is regarded as no more than a mistress mistress a than more no as regarded is she

reached the extent that many Muslim intellec- Muslim many that extent the reached has no legal rights in Britain. It means that that means It Britain. in rights legal no has

all the darkest images of Islam...It has has Islam...It of images darkest the all and treat her as he wants knowing that she she that knowing wants he as her treat and

'the idea of Sharia calls up up calls Sharia of idea 'the saying Ramadan man can take a second wife under sharia law law sharia under wife second a take can man

the ‘myths’ surrounding it. He quotes Tariq Tariq quotes He it. surrounding ‘myths’ the lish law. His pathetic example? example? pathetic His law. lish ‘A Muslim Muslim ‘A

Maryam Namazie Namazie Maryam

Nothing is inevitable inevitable is Nothing

No Hejab No

7 Page

apartheid apartheid

of protest against sexual sexual against protest of

University on their seventh day day seventh their on University

Students from Shiraz Shiraz from Students

withdrawn! withdrawn!

segregationist rules are are rules segregationist

lessons till all the the all till lessons

We won’t go back to to back go won’t We

ity movement I have no idea what else could do so! so! do could else what idea no have I movement ity solidar a form to help doesn’t story her If Voget: Sina

heid? heid?

Do you think writing Mina’s life story might help strengthen a solidarity movement with Iranian women’s struggle against Sexual against struggle women’s Iranian with movement solidarity a strengthen help might story life Mina’s writing think you Do Apart-

munity. All German women should support that more, as well as your fight against sexual apartheid. apartheid. sexual against fight your as well as more, that support should women German All munity.

n com- n ow their in women against violence about talk who women h-German Turkis some and it, about talk to hesitate don’t who women, man

tures”. That shows the problem of wrongly understood “tolerance” even within the women’s rights movement. But there are always always are there But movement. rights women’s the within even “tolerance” understood wrongly of problem the shows That tures”. some Ger- some

When I became a feminist in the 80s violence against women was was women against violence 80s the in feminist a became I When “different cul- “different in happens it when issue big a longer no is it But issue. big a

ng and honour killing. killing. honour and ng stoni Hejab, pulsory com as such Matters countries. stricken

Sina Voget: The great feminist activists seem to be quiet on so on quiet be to seem activists feminist great The Voget: Sina me very important matters regarding women’s lives in Iran and so and Iran in lives women’s regarding matters important very me me Islam Islam me

As a women’s rights activist, what is your opinion on the women’s rights movement in the west? west? the in movement rights women’s the on opinion your is what activist, rights women’s a As

nd (Christian) church would be better for equality as well. well. as equality for better be would church (Christian) nd a state between division stronger a Germany in that conclusion

After listening to Mina’s story I strongly believe that it needs a secular state in Iran to fight the dictatorship of the relig the of dictatorship the fight to Iran in state secular a needs it that believe strongly I story Mina’s to listening After ious regime. I came to the the to came I regime. ious

Sina Voget: I strongly admire the power of some Iranian women, women, Iranian some of power the admire strongly I Voget: Sina sexual apartheid. apartheid. sexual against and rights their for fight who Iran in even and exile in

Based on Mina’s story, what do you think of the women’s movement for equality in Iran? Iran? in equality for movement women’s the of think you do what story, Mina’s on Based

met for the first interview. It took another year and needed the campaign of the Ex-Muslims until an editor was found to publis to found was editor an until Ex-Muslims the of campaign the needed and year another took It interview. first the for met h the book. book. the h

thought about writing a book about her life. Her power and spirit a spirit and power Her life. her about book a writing about thought written. So we we So written. be should that something be to seemed just life-story her nd

killings” with . I wrote an article about Mina Ah Mina about article an wrote I Ali. Hirsi Ayaan with killings” adi for the German newspaper Taz after that and asked her if sh if her asked and that after Taz newspaper German the for adi e ever had had ever e

Islam. Then I met her again in 2006 at International Women’s Day Day Women’s International at 2006 in again her met I Then Islam. in March where she had organised a campaign against so called called so against campaign a organised had she where March in “honour “honour

Sina Voget: I first met Mina Ahadi in the late 90s when I did an did I when 90s late the in Ahadi Mina met first I Voget: Sina interview with her for German TV about her fight for women’s r women’s for fight her about TV German for her with interview ights under under ights

What made you decide to write Mina Ahadi’s story? story? Ahadi’s Mina write to decide you made What

many. many.

been spokeswoman of the University Hospital in Cologne, Ger- Cologne, in Hospital University the of spokeswoman been

Amnesty International Germany. Germany. International Amnesty Since September 2007 she has has she 2007 September Since

human rights and health politics. In 2000 she was spokeswoman of of spokeswoman was she 2000 In politics. health and rights human

lance journalist for more than 10 years. Her work is mostly about about mostly is work Her years. 10 than more for journalist lance

been published in Germany recently. Sina Voget has been a free- a been has Voget Sina recently. Germany in published been

Sina Voget is co-author of Mina Ahadi’s autobiography which has has which autobiography Ahadi’s Mina of co-author is Voget Sina

sexual apartheid sexual

fight for their rights and against and rights their for fight

I strongly admire Iranian women’s women’s Iranian admire strongly I

No Hejab No

8 Page