Masih Alinejad is a well-known advocate for women’s rights in Iran and one of the founders of the “United Against Gender Apartheid” movement. In a recent conference addressing the role of religion in society, she highlighted the severe challenges faced by individuals, especially women, in Iran. Alinejad emphasized the stark contrast between how religion is discussed freely and humorously in some parts of the world, while in Iran, the same actions can lead to grave consequences, even death. She pointed out that in Iran, a woman could be seen as breaking the law for singing or dancing in public without a hijab or for traveling without her husband’s permission.
Alinejad also touched on the ideology behind the prohibition of women singing, which claims that men might become aroused by a woman’s voice and lose control. In a playful moment, she began to sing, saying, “Let’s see how you react now.”
She expressed deep sadness about the situation of women like Zara Esmaeili, who are imprisoned simply for exercising their right to speak out, sing, and live freely.
Alinejad concluded with a powerful statement: “Please don’t call us Islamophobic, because phobia refers to an irrational fear. The fear that I and countless Iranian and Afghan women have of the Islamic Republic and the Taliban is entirely justified. Don’t silence our voices. It’s time to stand with the women of Iran and Afghanistan in our fight against gender apartheid.”