MARYAM RAJAVI’S PROPOSALS TO FIGHT ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN IRAN
Historical Context: The emergence and fundamental principles of fundamentalism in Iran
The emergence of fundamentalism stems from multiple factors, including social and historical circumstances, as well as policies pursued by the international community.
Major developments in the twentieth century significantly contributed to the formation and rapid expansion of fundamentalism. However, none has been as decisive as the rise to power of the reactionary mullahs in Iran. This is particularly significant because the ruling regime in Iran provided, for the first time, a model for fundamentalist groups to follow, groups that have since become the source of terrorism and war in the Middle East and beyond.
Is the emergence of fundamentalism, as some assert, a confrontation between the Islamic world and the West? More specifically, is this a confrontation between Islam on the one hand and Christianity and Judaism on the other?
The answer is no. In reality, the core conflict is not between Islam and Christianity, nor is it between Islam and the West, nor between Shiites and Sunnis. Rather, it is a struggle between freedom and subjugation, between equality and oppression and between justice and misogyny.
Indeed, why do fundamentalists direct their vengeance and violence towards women? First, because their ideology is inherently misogynistic. Second, during the 1979 revolution in Iran and social movements in other Middle East countries, they were and continue to be challenged by an immense yearning for freedom and equality, which centers on women’s emancipation.
For this reason, misogyny lies at the core of the fundamentalist mindset, which through the suppression of women, seeks to oppress and intimidate society as a whole.
The Solution: Democratic Islam Is the Antithesis of Fundamentalism
Confronting fundamentalism requires a comprehensive solution, including a cultural response.
By invoking the name of Islam, fundamentalism uses this religion as a weapon to justify aggression.
Thus, the answer lies in Democratic Islam, the antithesis of fundamentalism.
These two phenomena are diametrically opposite.
● One is a dictatorial ideology; the other is a religion of freedom, which recognizes sovereignty as a fundamental right of the people.
●One defends religious discrimination; the other defends equal rights for followers of all religions.
●One is monopolistic and dogmatic; the other is tolerant and promotes respect for diverse beliefs.
●One is a religion imposed through force; the other rejects any compulsion in religion.
By underscoring this reality half a century ago, the People’s Mojahedin of Iran challenged Islamic fundamentalism. Speaking about these two Islams, the Resistance’s Leader Massoud Rajavi said that one interpretation of Islam “is the harbinger of darkness while the other is the standard-bearer of freedom, unity, and emancipation. However, the battle between these two, which is also a battle of destiny for the Iranian people and history, is one of the most important tests of contemporary humanity.”
Confront the religious fascism ruling Iran and the velayat-e faqih regime
How can this threat be contained? What is the focal point whose collapse will end the whole phenomenon of fundamentalism?
The answer is to confront the religious fascism ruling Iran because the regime is the heart of the problem.
The Iranian regime is the primary source of many atrocities committed by fundamentalist groups using the mullahs’ rule as a role model.
● Indeed, who made stoning to death an official practice in the last two decades of the twentieth century?
● Who enacted in law eye-gouging and limb amputation as punishment?
● Who massacred the highest number of political prisoners since the Second World War?
● Who issued a fatwa to murder a foreign author?
● Who revived and used a reactionary caliphate as a role model?
Indeed, it is the velayat-e faqih regime, the godfather of terrorism, the enemy of Middle East nations, and the primary threat to global peace and security.
Indeed, it is the velayat-e faqih regime, the godfather of terrorism, the enemy of Middle East nations, and the primary threat to global peace and security.
(Speech on International Women’s Day, Women are the force to confront Islamic fundamentalism, March 7, 2015)
Against a totalitarian government
Religious coercion, institutionalized after Khomeini seized power, has been used to eliminate opponents and impose despotic rule.
As you are aware, Islam at its core is the standard-bearer of brotherhood. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) set it as a duty for people to live in peace with followers of other faiths and proponents of other ideas.
He taught all believers to see their differences as a form of mercy.
On this basis, the dispute is not between Shiites and Sunnis, not between Christians and Muslims. There is not a war among civilizations. The main dispute is between despotism and fundamentalism on the one hand, and freedom and democracy on the other.
Rejecting all forms of compulsion in religion also opens the way for the principle of separation of religion and state and leaves no room for tyranny and religious discrimination in the name of God.
As Massoud Rajavi, the Leader of the Iranian Resistance, said: “Islam thrives only when there is no discrimination, no political privilege and no compulsion in society.”
(Excerpts of speech in Ramadan 2017)
Khomeini’s Fundamentalism: A Drift from Authentic Islam
Khomeini’s ideology is fundamentalism under the veneer of Islam. This ideology is not related to genuine Islam but is a cover under crimes have been justified.
This ideology also promotes the export of religious discrimination, terrorism, and fundamentalism abroad under the banner of revolution, particularly to other Muslim countries.
With this ideology, he created a false enmity between Shiites and Sunnis to justify his belligerence toward Sunni Muslim countries under the pretext of defending Shiism. However, there are no disputes among Shiites and Sunnis. They have lived side by side in the Middle East in peace for many centuries.
The truth is that Khomeini and Velayat-e Faqih are the No. 1 enemy of all Muslims and Shiites. No regime in the world has killed as many Shiites as this regime has.
(Excerpts from a 2018 interview with the Saudi Okaz newspaper)
Liberty Against Submission, Equality Against Oppression
To what is Islamic fundamentalism essentially opposed? As some would suggest, is the Islamic world aligned against the West? More specifically, is it a confrontation between Islam on the one hand and Judaism and Christianity on the other?
The answer is no. In reality, the main dispute is not between Islam and Christianity, nor between Islam and the West, nor between Shiites and Sunnis. Rather, it is a conflict between freedom and submission, and between equality and oppression and injustice In fact, Islamic fundamentalism opposes the widespread desire for freedom, democracy, and equality among the people of the Middle East, particularly women and young people.
Enmity towards women : what needs to change
This is where we can find out why Islamic fundamentalism is particularly vengeful and violent toward women. It is driven by a strong movement toward modernism, freedom, and equality with women’s emancipation at its core.
(Excerpts from a speech entitled, “Women in leadership, the Iranian Resistance’s Experience,” February 26, 2017)
Misogyny is one of the defining characteristics of Islamic fundamentalism. It developed into a coherent ideology when the mullahs seized power in Iran in 1979. Their regime established a concrete model for other fundamentalist groups. The mullahs, Daesh, and the Bokoharam share common ideological foundations. Whether Shiite or Sunni, they exhibit similar beliefs and practices, including enforced religion, misogyny, and terrorism.
I must emphasize that it is not enough to confront the threat of fundamentalism through military means. What is required is a firm policy combined with a cultural and intellectual response. There exists a powerful alternative to extremism disguised as Islam. Genuine Islam promotes tolerance and democracy, in contrast to fundamentalism. Supporting this alternative is essential to this struggle.
Placing iranian women on an equal position with men is a necessary condition
The ruling regime in Iran is the fountainhead of fundamentalism and drives misogyny. To confront Daesh and uproot fundamentalism, it is necessary to end the Iranian mullahs’ presence in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere. Women play a pivotal role in this struggle.
Women must have equal status with men; women must have active and equal participation in political leadership. The struggle against fundamentalism will defeat it only when women lead it.
Since 1993, women have occupied leadership positions at all levels within the Iranian Resistance movement. This is a new model of women pioneering the struggle for equality at the core of the struggle against fundamentalism.
