Maryam Rajavi addresses crowd of
25 thousand in London,
calls for the formation of united anti-fundamentalist frontMaryam Rajavi addresses crowd of
25 thousand in London,
calls for the formation of united anti-fundamentalist front
The meeting was sponsored by the Women's Human Rights International Association
and the Association for the Liberty of Culture. A large number of British
parliamentarians and dignitaries had endorsed the event. In addition to
Iranians, various groups of British and Arab intellectuals, politicians,
writers, artists, and women's rights activists were also present.
Exposing the misogynous character of the mullahs and their inhuman pressures
on Iranian women, Mrs. Rajavi said: From Tehran, the octopus of fundamentalism
has extended its blood-drenched tentacles into Islamic states and Muslim
societies around the world. Their foreign policy consists of meddling in
the affairs of Islamic countries, issuing fatwas to murder foreign nationals
and launching terrorist operations abroad.
I emphasize that these reactionaries who suppress the Iranian people and
particularly Iranian women under the cloak of religion have nothing to do
with Islam. They are the peddlers of religion and exploit the name of Islam
to enhance their sinister and inhuman objectives, Mrs. Rajavi declared.
She also emphasized that the mullahs' ongoing suppression in Iran and export
of terrorism and fundamentalism abroad make it essential for the international
community to adopt a decisive approach. She called on women to take the
initiative in forming a united front against fundamentalism.
Marzieh, the grande dame of Persian music, performed the Operetta in Solidarity
accompanied by London's Festival Orchestra and an ensemble of traditional
Iranian musicians.
Mmes. Affaf Radi, the famous classical singer from Egypt; Wilhelmenia Fernandez,
an opera singer from the United States; Luzmila Carpio, the Queen of Bolivian
singers; and two Palestinian bands, Aaras and Al bara'em, also performed
at the event.
Mrs. Nawal El Saadawi, a famous writer in Egypt and the Arab world, and
the Lord Avebury, chairman of the British parliamentary human rights group
and chairman of the British Committee for Iran's Freedom, also addressed
the gathering.
Held on the 15th anniversary of June 20, the beginning of the Iranian people's
resistance against the mullahs' religious dictatorship and the Day of Martyrs
and Political Prisoners of Iran, Women, Voice of the Oppressed, was broadcast
live via satellite all over the world, including Iran. Thousands of Iranians
in held meetings at 13 loctions in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway,
Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and the United States watched the event live.
Reporters, photographers and camera crews of the over 100 international
news media covered the gathering.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran - Paris
June 21, 1996
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