Despite the censor of the world, Iran continues its downward moral spiral into medieval anarchy! The overly pious and covertly sadist Iranain moral police subjected a Kurdish activist, Roya Heshmati, to 74 lashes. Her ‘crime’ was not wearing a hijab in April. This brutal punishment is emblematic of the Iranian oppressive regime and Islam’s regressive ideology. Let’s talk about Iran, Islam, and the lack of freedom.
Defying Hijab: A Horrific Punishment For A Heroic StanceÂ
The Iranian judiciary, through its Mizan agency, shamelessly flogged Roya Heshmati. The apparent offense was posting a picture without a headscarf on social media in April.
The original sentence for not wearing a headscarf was a 13-year prison time and 146 lashes! On appeal, it was later reduced to 1.2 million rials as a fine and 74 lashes for ‘immoral’ public behavior.
When Roya Heshmati appeared for her sentence, she remained bare-headed in defiance! She was repeatedly asked by the judge, the executioners, and the lady attendants to wear the hijab. They even threatened her with 74 more lashes if she did not comply. The judge even told her to find solace abroad if she wanted to exercise her freedom in clothes! However, this brave activist refused his ironic advice and stood firm with her beliefs! She told the executioner to hold his Quran under his arm and flog her if he dared!Â
The price she paid was a brutal flogging and a bruised body! They humiliated her by tying her to the bed and lashing her for asking for freedom! She did not let them see her pain, but she let them see her determination till the end! The brutality and inhumane nature of of this sentence showcases the reality of Iran’s Sharia! Apparently, Darul al-Islam seems to be a metaphor for cruelty to women by religious zealots and pseudo-pious men!
Lack of Freedom or Respect in Islam
The perennial problem of any Abrahamic religion is that they are stuck in the mires of materialism!! Islam is the latest and most dangerous version of the consumerist ideology of the Abrahamic belief system.
Islam’s ideology Borders on material gains in heaven in exchange for piety!
Thus, man becomes the owner of all he sees and objectifying women as commodities or posSessions is a by-product of islam! Â
This is why Islamist and pseudo-pious leaders feel justified while deciding the fate of Islamic women’s clothes, education, and freedoms! However, as the Iranian sociologist Mohammad Fazli rightly points out, laws meant to preserve human dignity are used by Islamic zealots and religious bigots to perpetuate human heartbreak! And the international community is helplessly witnessing Iran’s disturbing pattern of violating the human rights of anyone who appeals for freedom under Islam!
Prominent figures within Iran and abroad vehemently object to Heshmati’s flogging. But under house arrest since 2011, Rahnavard and many like her feel the future of Iran under Islamic Sharia is hopeless! Azar Mansoori, leading the Reformist Front, has also sided with Heshmati! He states that silence on such an issue is equal to adherence to autocratic atrocity. Moreover, he questions if actions are done by true Muslims faithful to Islam?!
Wake Up Call For The Whole WorldÂ
Iran’s despicable act of flogging an activist for her freedom of choice highlights the reality of the lack of any freedom under Islam! There is an urgent global need to condemn such acts, or else what is happening in Iran and Afghanistan shall occur everywhere these ‘kitabi’ zealots are in the majority!
Where are the voices of the Arfa Khanums and Rana Ayyubs on this act of subjugation of women?!??
Is this not a fight for freedom of choice??!! Are all Muslims of the world not united on the path of Allah? Why is there a lack of solidarity with these women?!!
Don’t say that issues on freedom of women in Iran do not concern you, are you all not global champions of women’s rights???
Let the world unite to oppose this interpretation of Sharia in Iran! Let the international community stand united against the systemic violation of human rights under Islam! May there never be another woman who bears the marks of a flogging for her choices! The time is now to ask for justice for Heshmati and the many who came before her!