Alex Shams was interviewed by AJ+ about the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests in Iran that began in September 2022. He discussed how protestors were navigating the complex relationship between religion and politics in Iran.
While the Iranian state has tried to paint protestors as opposed to religion to discredit them, in reality, he argued, protestors are demanding personal freedom and a democratic future – and an end to the state’s use of religion to repress its people.
“People in Iran are burning hijabs, but that doesn’t mean they are protesting religion.
Iranian American writer Alex Shams says it’s a rebellion against the way the state has used religion to repress freedoms.”
A basic demand for freedom has united people from across Iran. @alexshams_ explains why it's not a protest against Islam. pic.twitter.com/Dao4hCt05M
— AJ+ (@ajplus) September 28, 2022