Iran’s anti-hijab motion to Afghanistan’s Taliban rule: Feminists talk about struggles of ladies

An all-woman panel spoke on ‘Hijab. Hate. And State: The fight for human rights. And feminist churn within the Muslim world’ on the India Today Conclave 2023.

(From L-R) Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Fawzia Koofi, Sheeba Aslam Fehmi, Ruha Shadab. (Image: India Today/Hardik Chhabra)

By India Today News Desk: Hijab has been a symbolic and bodily oppressive garb; ladies have pushed towards it up to now 40 years; however it’s additionally the tip of the iceberg as a result of what issues is altering the legal guidelines, stated Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, an Iranian peace activist whereas speaking in regards to the anti-hijab protests which have made world headlines.

Speaking on the India Today Conclave 2023, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini stated, “Anti-hijab protests [in Iran] were a watershed movement. It was the culmination of three generations coming on the street, giving a unified message – women’s freedom. What was more unique to see was men standing shoulder-to-shoulder with women and protesting for their rights.”

Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, who can be the founding father of the International Civil Society Action Network, spoke at a panel dialogue that included Ruha Shadab, founder, LedBy Foundation; Sheeba Aslam Fehmi, Islamic feminist, scholar, and columnist; and Fawzia Koofi, Afghan political chief and activist.

Full protection of Conclave 2023

“What I wear and what I do, these are all my choices. It is my body. We want to deal with bigger issues like peace and development,” Sanam stated, including, “Across the world, when women lead a movement, it’s always non-violent. They may join a non-violent movement, but when they lead a movement, it’s always peaceful and non-violent.”

The Conclave 2023 session additionally featured a dialogue on the scenario in Afghanistan the place a number of experiences of ladies dealing with oppression have emerged for the reason that Taliban got here to energy within the nation.

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Speaking on the India Today Conclave 2023, Fawzia Koofi, Afghan political chief and activist, stated, “The struggle for women in Afghanistan goes beyond appearance. Taliban retain their power through suppressive behaviour. They suppress women because they think we are an easy object. This is a misinterpretation of the Islamic religion. Banning girls’ education is not a part of religion. I think it’s about control and about survival.”

“Women of Afghanistan want to go to offices, schools and universities. This point is missing in the international arena,” Fawzia Koofi identified.

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When requested about how Islamic feminism is totally different from Muslim feminism, Sheeba Aslam Fehmi, Islamic feminist, scholar, and columnist, stated, “Islamic feminism is a very rigorous-based knowledge project that informs the world that it is about reclaiming what has already been given or ordained to women. We say that we don’t want anything from the clergy. We just want whatever has already been given 1,400 years back. There are a lot of radical aspects also which the western world is not espousing currently.”

“Feminism is understood as something very western, something very alien and something that is not suited to cultural societies, but Islamic feminism is talking about the original divine text and asking the clergy that I am ready to learn Islam from you, but I am also ready to teach Islam as well,” Sheeba stated.

Published On:

Mar 17, 2023