CAROLINE BAZZI

Beirut- Lebanese feminist activists gathered in front of the National Museum of Beirut to condemn the killing of Mahsa Amini by the Iranian regime. During the action, the women expressed their solidarity with Iranian women by chanting the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” slogan.

“We should support each other”

University professor Rin Abbas expressed her anger by wearing a facemask reading, “Stop killing us”. “Every crime in any country in the world against women is a global crime. As women all around the world, we should support each other or gender-based violence will continue. Violence against every women- whether in Iran or another country in the world- is violence against all women. We should raise our voices to tell every that violence against women is forbidden.”

“We can put pressure on repressive regimes”

Feminist activist Karen Nasr emphasized that joining the action to be in solidarity with Iranian women is her duty. “Today in Iran but it could be in Beirut tomorrow.  The more we raise our voices, the more people hear our voices, and such stances can put pressure on repressive regimes.”

“I am here against the tyrannical regimes”

Feminist activist Nidal Helou expressed her solidarity with Iranian women in their resistance for freedom. “Every person has the right to live as she/he wants; every person has the right to wear whatever she/he wants. I am here against the tyrannical regimes that want to decide what we should wear. We, as women, must unite not to allow them to make decisions about us.”

Women are persecuted in the name of religion

Journalist Sawsan Abu Zahr also expressed her solidarity with Iranian women and said, “The Mahsa Amini case is not a story about hijab, but a story of injustice persecuting women in this region in the name of religion. It is a story of systematic political oppression.” Commenting on the participation of a number of children in the solidarity table of the action, Sawsan Abu Zahr stressed that children, particularly boys, should not be raised according to the patriarchal mentality.

“The issue is a political issue”

Feminist activist Jana Abi Morshed stated that Iranian women are oppressed by a dictatorial regime and that they participate in the action to raise the voices of Iranian women. “The issue is not hijab but a political issue. It is about freedoms, oppression and patriarchal authority persecuting people in the name of religion. Enough, our societies deserve better conditions. The revolution in Iran will spread and activate the revolutions that began in the Arab world.”