Anti-War Coalition, Sherborne visited by Organisation for Women’s Liberation

A meeting was organised by the Anti War Coalition, Sherborne/Yeovil branch on Friday 14th July 2006. Azar Majedi and Maryam Kousha from Organisation for Women’s Liberation were invited to deliver speeches. The theme of the meeting was situation of women in Iran and the issue of possible military attack on Iran by Us and its allies.

Azar Majedi spoke about the political changes in Iran since the 1979 uprising as the background to analyse the current political situation in Iran. She emphasized on the question of the Middle East, the suppressive and corruptive role of political Islam in the region and the Islamic Republic as the organised political Islam in power.

She then expanded on the protest movement currently gaining momentum in Iran against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Azar talked extensively about the two poles of international terrorism, i.e. the Western militarism headed by USA on the one hand and Islamic terrorism on the other hand. She then focused on the rise of the third camp, i.e. people’s struggle against both poles for a world without war and destitution. She urged all to sign the petition of the third camp, thus showing their solidarity with this progressive and humane movement. To sign the petition please visit the site: www.thirdcamp.com

Maryam Kousha talked about the situation of women in Iran. She explained how people in Iran especially women live a double life: one of complying with the reactionary Islamic rules, and one of defying it where ever possible. Maryam touched on the question of cultural relativism in the West in terms of women’s position in families with Islamic backgrounds.

Another subject which was also presented by both Azar and Maryam was the formation of Solidarity Groups in an attempt to combat sexual apartheid in Iran.

The speeches were received enthusiastically and the participants took active role in presenting their comments and questions. Some questions were: are there different degrees of Islam? Was the situation of women relatively better under the Shah? Would US attack Iran? What can we do?

After the meeting, informal discussions took place and the Journal of OWL was distributed and other materials such as Medusa (Journal of Women and Socialism) were bought.

We would like to thanks the organisers of the meeting for giving us the opportunity to discuss these issues and appreciate their participation. We would especially thank Panda, Jenny and Peter who offered us a very warm welcome.
Organisation for Women’s Liberation- Iran
16 July 2006