NASİM MOHAMMADKHAH

Baneh- In Iran, Salafi groups use violent methods to propagate and preserve Salafism. They threaten women artists and activists and destroy the artworks of women artists in Rojhilat Kurdistan (Eastern Kurdistan).

 In an interview with NuJINHA, a feminist activist, who did not want to share her name with us due to security reasons, said, “The number of Salafi groups in the cities of Rojhilat Kurdistan has increased in recent years. They carry out activities to have more members. The members of these groups cause unrest in public spaces by using the clothes worn by women as an excuse. I post on my social media account about social and cultural issues. I have received many threats by these groups for my posts.”

 They are under threat

A female artist, who did not share her name for security reasons, told us what kind of harassments she has been subjected to as follows:

“I have been threatened many times on social media by the users of the fake social media accounts. They threatened me to hack my social media account. I have received many threatening messages and comments; some accused me of ‘being an infidel’ because of my artwork I published on my blog.”

They try to destroy artworks

Another activist told us that she has received threats from Salafi groups. “Salafi groups constantly try to destroy cultural and historical artifacts that are an important part of the identity of the city and its people. Several days ago, Ebu Bekir Biran, one of the sculptors in Baneh, was threatened by Salafi groups. The members of these groups wrote ‘It is forbidden to worship idols’ on one of his sculptures. A group of activists deleted the writing and wrote, ‘art is the symbol of beauty’ on it.”