Iraqi journalist Mulham Al-Malaika, a relative of the renowned Iraqi poet Nazik Al-Malaika and an expert on Persian culture, published an opinion piece that can be summarized as follows: “When the Islamic Republic was established, Khomeini envisioned building it on several foundations, including abolishing the nation-state, weakening the middle class and creating an alternative class, dividing society into elite men and veiled women of a lower class, and imposing strict religious laws. After 45 years, it appears that the regime’s project is facing several difficulties, amid Iran’s involvement in foreign wars and internal conflicts, its insistence on extending its costly influence to several Arab capitals, its determination to develop its nuclear capabilities, and its clear hostility towards Israel. This prompted the United States to impose various sanctions on Iran, which contributed to the weakening of the middle class.
Over time, however, public awareness grew, and women took on a significant role in undermining the structure of the religious state. Among the most prominent of these women are the slain Kurdish activist Mahsa Amini, the influential imprisoned human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, and the less visible leftist revolutionary Maryam Rajavi, who has spent more than 40 years in exile.” A question often overlooked by analysts is whether women will lead change in Iran, and whether Narges Mohammadi will emerge as a leader.
Mulham Al- Malaika says this is possible, as women have become the most important drivers of change in Iran, though not in the traditional sense of leadership. Instead, they are driving change culturally, morally, and symbolically. The reason, simply put, is that the religious regime is built on an ideology of oppressing and controlling women, both physically and intellectually, through the use of hijab, the family, and forced obedience.
When women began to resist these restrictions, the foundations of the religious narrative of legitimacy were shaken, and the most popular slogan became “Women, Life, Freedom,” inspired by the Kurdish slogan that emerged spontaneously after the assassination of Mahsa Amini in 2022. As for Narges Mohammadi, who has spent, and continues to spend, nine years of her life in prison and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, she represents a living conscience. She possesses high moral integrity, an impeccable human rights record, extraordinary personal courage, and independence from external infl uences, as well as the ability to communicate in a language that resonates with ordinary Iranian citizens, not just the elite.
By Ahmad alsarraf
e-mail: a.alsarraf@alqabas
e-mail: a.alsarraf@alqabas
