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Iranian woman activist fighting for women's rights

Bikash Chowdhury Barua

The Hague, 27 Oct: Equal rights for Muslim men and women - is the goal which the Iranian female activist, Homa Arjomand has been fighting for. But the what she terms 'political Islam' stands as a barrier on way to achieving this goal which she can in no way accept. And that is why this in 1952 in Iran born activist toruing the world to establish her conviction that faiths and legislation can not go together.

Homa Arjomand was here in Amsterdam this week at the invitation of an women organisation, "Women Liberaion- Iran" as part of her world tour. But to her disappointment half of the seats in the hall was empty. But she was not surprised and commented, "even if Ayan Hirshi Ali was here, only a handful people would have come today to listen to her, while in Germany hundreds of people came to hear the lecture and the interest was so high in Canada that people stood even in the lobby. In Holland people are just afraid to come to listen to me." By saying this she referred to the threats from the Islamic fundamentalists who show zero tolerance on any sort of criticism on Islam.

Homa Arjomand moves with bodyguards and political cover all the time. This is because of the threats she has been receiving for her fight against the Sharia, the Islamic law which according to her, discriminate women . She said, "in centuries all religions were challenged and have gone through metamorphoses. Christianity, for example, through years has become softer and softer and has today taken a suitable place in the society. Because of the changes the religion can be criticised. But Islam has never gone through such changes. And because I attack the 'political Islam' I can no more move freely."

With her light, short-cut hair the Iranian activist went to the podium and thanked the handful audience for coming to listen to her despite all threats. On the background hanged a big size poster with the words : "Uncover Iran". Among the audience there was no one with 'burkhas' or head covers which is a common site among the Muslim women in different parts of Holland. She said,'' under the 'political religion' the children can not dance, can not wear dresses according to their own choice and boys and girls are kept apart from each other. You can not offer such a youth to your kids. This is just disgusting."

Homa Arjomand began fighting for the rights of women and children since she was 17 year old. Born in an atheistic family Arjomand went to England to study physics. In the English democracy she had room for demonstration and lobbying for her ideals. In 1980 she returned to Iran and became vocal on the rights of women and children. And obviusly she became the target of the government and with her 6 year old daughter and 1 year old boy she had to flee the country. "I put the lives of my kids in danger through passing days in winter while I always fought for their rights. Yet I think I have taken a right decision. Had I stayed back they would have beaten up my kids and raped them in front of my own eyes to stop me from my mission." Eversince, she has been staying in Canada.

Even in Canada she was chased by Islamic legislations. A group of Islamic leaders demanded introduction of separate legislations for the Muslims in the Canadian province of Ontario especially on issues like divorce and custody. If the legislations demanded by the Islamic leaders were passed on, then the Muslim women in Canada would have almost no right on the custody of their children after divorce. Arjomand fought against it and after 22 months fight and protests the plan had been dissovled. "If the laws were passed then all the progress in the last centuries would have been destroyed in one blow. This, I and my fellow fighters can not allow to happen," said the Iranian activist.

She seems to be aware of the recent development of 'political Islam' in Holland. "The structure of social security in Holland seems to have broken down, muslim young people feel themselves discriminated. If you ask the young muslim peiople where they come from, the reply is for example, from Iran and not from Holland while they are born and brought up here. Since they don't feel themselves Dutch they remain under the influence of, for example, the muslim leaders who proclaim that suppression of women is o.k." According to her, beating up the children can not be tolerated and parents who want to get their daughters at the age of 14 married should be punished.

She said, the solution to the 'political Islam' should also come from the government. Prohibition of 'burkha' should be the first step in this regard, she added. However, there are more things to do. There are women in Holland who live here for more than 50 years but they do not have any idea about legislation, forget about their rights. There is lack of information which is crucial for fight for equal rights," she added.

( Bikash Chowdhury Barua is a journalist, columnist living in Holland E-mail: bikash.chowdhurybarua@gmail.com )
Date: 29 October 2005