On Thursday 18^th July a meeting was organised by LSE entitled “From ideological Cold War to Hot Religious War”. The meeting was attended by about 50 experts on the subject including members of Parliament and Lords, members of academia and the press. Azar Majedi was invited to take part in this meeting. The meeting began by two short speeches by Ali Mazroyee and Meghnad Dasaee and then proceeded by comments by the guests.

On the issue of American and British governments’ policies towards the Middle East, Ali mazrooyee said this is a new phase of colonialist policy and supported the Islamic currents in their struggle against this new colonialism. He then glorified the Islamic terrorism in the West as a guerilla war in the metropolitan countries.

Azar Majedi, in total contrast and opposition to Mazroooyee said that she does not agree with the title of the meeting. “What we are witnessing is not war of religions, neither is it clash of civilizations. This is a complete political war over hegemony. Political Islam is striving after power and USA is pursuing the policy of New World Order, hence its own almighty domination.”

Azar continued: “Condemnation of the US and Western governments’ policy in the Middle East and the suppressive policies of the Israeli government, also condemnation of the occupation of Iraq should not allow us to defend political Islam and Islamic terrorism. Islamic current is reactionary and suppressive. We have to adopt a third stance, i.e., condemnation of both poles of terrorism.

Azar finished her talk by urging all to condemn both the Islamic Republic of Iran and any aggression against the people of Iran, in the event of military attack against Iran. She continued by saying the slogan “No to political Islam, No to American militarism” is the principled slogan.

On Wednesday 19^th July Azar was invited to take part in a round of discussion organized by OUTRAGE (defending homosexual’s rights) and Chris Bryant (member of Parliament).

The meeting was called to discuss and condemn the wave of executions of homosexuals and children in Iran. Other speakers were Peter Thatchel, Chris Bryant and Simon Foris. All speakers condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran and the executions in Iran. Chris Bryant had prepared a resolution to this effect which he will submit to the parliament. Another issue discussed in the meeting was the status of Iranian asylum seekers. The meeting supported asylum seekers and condemned their deportation to Iran.

Azar Majedi spoke about the suppression of women and workers in Iran and the devastating results of poverty imposed on them. Azar emphasized on the fact that many workers in Iran have not received their wages for months, hence the massive demonstrations and strikes that are currently going on in Iran. Azar mentioned the example of the Bus workers’ strike, the arrest of many workers including the leader of the Independent Vahed trada union Mansoor Osanloo.

Azar draw the attention of the meeting to the fact that what is going on in Iran is not just suppression. There are massive protest movements: for women’s liberation, workers’ movement and secular movement. This is the positive side of the equation.

Azar urged all to condemn the threats of US military attack on Iran, and support the struggle of people in Iran to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In the final part of the meeting the participants put questions forward to the speakers and made comments.

Organization for Women’s Liberation

 July 2006