Community urged to ‘raise awareness’
The Jewish community have been urged to speak up to support the people of Iran during a webinar.
SPOKESWOMAN and secretary of the Iranian Women’s Association Nos Hosseini and Sarve Naz Almasi, advocate and Iranian Kurdish refugee, have urged the Jewish community to speak up to support the people of Iran.
Addressing a webinar co-hosted by Stand Up and the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA), Hosseini and Almasi spoke freely and openly to the online crowd of close to 100 people about what is currently happening in Iran. Both women are victims of the Iranian regime and fled to Australia as refugees.
“This is a revolution. This isn’t just a series of protests”, said Hosseini about the current uprising.
“The people of Iran have been frustrated for far too long and their voices stifled for far too long.”
It’s been more than two months since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was murdered after being arrested by morality police, prompting unprecedented protests to erupt in Iran.
There have been protests before, but this time women and youth are at the forefront of the revolution.
“Previously parents stopped their children and loved ones from going to protests because they knew the dangers and risks – to protect them from abuse and murder,” said Hosseini.
“Now, even parents are encouraging their children to take to the streets. They know the risks, and they are sending them anyway. The alternative is worse.”
During the webinar both Melinda Jones, NCJWA president, and general manager of Stand Up Speedy Shatari discussed the concept of ‘tikkun olam’, which encourages Jewish people to be ‘upstanders’ rather than bystanders to help repair the world – a concept that is important to both organisations.
Shatari asked the speakers what we, as the Jewish community, can do to support the people of Iran.
“Raise awareness as much as you can,” said Almasi.
“Use social media channels, speak to your friends and family members and tell them what is happening in Iran.”
Hosseini echoed the calls for awareness, but also called on governments to take further action through diplomatic sanctions.
Although the topic was quite confronting – with both speakers sharing real life examples of torture, abuse and lives lived in fear – they both also shared their optimism for the future. They do believe a regime change is possible and while the people of Iran are finding their voices, they urged the community to do what it can to support their calls for democracy.
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