tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post4688964166072337104..comments2023-09-10T08:36:21.578+01:00Comments on Maryam Namazie: Beat back the onslaught against labour leaders in IranMaryam Namaziehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16580229703737060601noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post-4488351294748585802008-11-21T21:07:00.000+00:002008-11-21T21:07:00.000+00:00Maryam jan: Excellent. Mr. Ansari's world views ar...Maryam jan: Excellent. Mr. Ansari's world views are an instruction on Islamic indoctrination: blind obedience, total subjugation, intrinsic xenophobia, extreme doubt about the merits of their beliefs, cultish mentality, supremacy over other (infidels vs. believers), sense of entitlment of the ummah and so on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post-56695926991342183782008-11-21T13:31:00.000+00:002008-11-21T13:31:00.000+00:00AliI have never said that the veil should be banne...Ali<BR/><BR/>I have never said that the veil should be banned for adult women; the burqa and niqab yes but not the veil. And I have said that whilst adult women have the right to veil - this does not mean that we can't criticise the veil for what it represents. These are two different things. The veil is not just a form of clothing to say the least. <BR/><BR/>If you mean that I have said I want the veil and other relgious symbols banned in public arenas like for teachers or judges - yes but that is to do with secularism and keeping people's religion private. People are often asked no to wear things or to wear a uniform for work - also all bans are not totalitarian - there are bans on child abuse and Domestic violence for example or smoking in public places.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I am one of these people you talk about - I have just as much a right as anyone to discuss, debate, and argue my points as the next person. That is all I and many others have at our disposal to change things that are wrong.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I said I wouldn't keep writing like this - I have to prepare for my talk in Sweden tomorrow - so again this is my last commentary - I hope.Maryam Namaziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16580229703737060601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post-85845749998506357832008-11-21T13:03:00.000+00:002008-11-21T13:03:00.000+00:00Mrs Namazie I have read a lot of your posts and I ...Mrs Namazie I have read a lot of your posts and I have seen several of your speeches. And the reason why I am taking the time to comment on your blog, despite my very strong disagreement with of your views, is that I do believe that your (personal) intentions are good. <BR/><BR/>I do also believe that your views are extremely totalitarian and absolutist. You are "uncompromising" not in defending people's rights but in imposing YOUR own perception of reality.<BR/><BR/>I have heard you say that mature and adult women should NOT have the free-choice to wear a veil, because YOU have a particular interpretation of what it represents. She can be just as smart, educated and active as you are and have her own philosophical reasons to wear a veil, but if you had it your way; you would BAN her from choosing her own clothing! <BR/><BR/>And this is just an example among many. <BR/><BR/>This totalitarianism, arrogance and sense of moral and intellectual superiority, coupled with a sense of duty to "liberate" people from themselves, is the underlying tone of many of your works, as it is the underlying mentality of neocons and fanatic Islamists.<BR/><BR/>Good luck,<BR/><BR/>ALIalinasri1https://www.blogger.com/profile/16257002257125052625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post-84103314445773419652008-11-21T10:51:00.000+00:002008-11-21T10:51:00.000+00:00To be uncompromising in defending people's rights ...To be uncompromising in defending people's rights is not absolutism or arrogance; that's how things have changed throughout the world -by people demanding something better and not being satfisfied with the status quo.<BR/><BR/>I know there is a difference between Islam and the Islamic regime in Iran or political Islam for that matter. If you take the time to read my position on things you will see this. I do think though that because Islam is the movement's banner it can't be free from criticism. But criticising Islam in any case is not the same as racism against people. Religion has to be open to criticism; freedom of expression is crucial here in particular otherwise it loses meaning.<BR/><BR/>Also I have advocated citizenship rights and a humanity without labels, saying that people are a lot more than one specific belief they hold or is attributed to them.<BR/><BR/>And finally what I do saved lives; I haven't issued issued fatwas against anyone; I haven't threatened to kill anyone. In fact I am under threat for what I have done - I am not sure how you can hold me and the movement I belong to as being totalitarian. I think this may be brisk business for those who still adhere to cold war perceptions about the left but for most, people and organisations are judged on their effect on people's lives. <BR/><BR/>Also as I said before I hold the human being sacred - nothing else -neither god, nor culture nor nationalism and so on. <BR/><BR/>BTW, if opposing political Islam makes me a neocon - then what does my opposition to US militarism as one pole of state terrorism and the war on Iraq make me - an Islamist? <BR/><BR/>Anyway, I won't be responding further on this; if need be though I will raise it again on my TV programme but please feel free to make more comments if you'd like.<BR/><BR/>As an aside though, this is an entry on the abysmal situation of workers in Iran and the need to show solidarity with them...Maryam Namaziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16580229703737060601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post-90971357812138542082008-11-20T23:26:00.000+00:002008-11-20T23:26:00.000+00:00The problem with "imperialism" and fanatic Islamis...The problem with "imperialism" and fanatic Islamism is their absolutist and over-simplified view of the world; they conveniently stereotype the others and put them all in the same basket with a label on it (evil, terrorist, infidel...) <BR/><BR/>Knowingly or not, you are unfortunately displaying the same absolutism and arrogance as they do. To you, hundreds of millions of Muslims are all the same and criticizing "Islam" is synonymous to criticizing the "Islamic republic of Iran" or the Taliban. <BR/><BR/>Like them, you are convinced that you hold the exclusivity on the "Truth" and declare a Fatva on others and what to "liberate" them from themselves. Meanwhile you are doing nothing but serving the purpose of right-wing neocons.<BR/><BR/>I wish you could see the totalitarianism in your own views; but I doubt you can.alinasri1https://www.blogger.com/profile/16257002257125052625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post-15214263409224176312008-11-20T13:16:00.000+00:002008-11-20T13:16:00.000+00:00How sad. The European anti-imperialist nationalist...How sad. The European anti-imperialist nationalist left in this country is so warped that it has made you forget what the left represents. The left, let me remind you, is the banner carrier of social change and justice. Its role is to push back reaction and defend humanity. Your problem is that you think the left is there to represent political Islam and any reaction as long as it is deemed anti-imperialist. Though what half baked anti-imperialism - at that! Political Islam is the other side of the coin of US militarism. They need each other and feed off each other. And one needs to oppose both to have a principled position.<BR/><BR/>Don't worry about who represents workers in Iran or about me - what are you going to do about it? <BR/><BR/>Finally criticising Islam, the Islamic regime, religion's role in society and so on is not racist. I have quite a number of articles on this issue on my site; it may help you to look at them.Maryam Namaziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16580229703737060601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21351773.post-11155204633588292082008-11-20T12:43:00.000+00:002008-11-20T12:43:00.000+00:00First; just wondering, who elected you as the repr...First; just wondering, who elected you as the representative of all "workers" in Iran?? What give you the authority to talk on their behalves??<BR/><BR/>Secondly; over 90% of Iranians, especially the lower class are Muslims. How well do you think you represent them with your anti-Muslim hateful views which resemble more the views of extreminist neo-cons than those of any real leftist?alinasri1https://www.blogger.com/profile/16257002257125052625noreply@blogger.com