Four-minute read
In today’s Iran, faith has become a tool of oppression, discrimination and fear rather than offering spiritual guidance towards enriching human society and its values. As a Muslim woman, I have not only witnessed this distortion of Islam, I’ve also endured the burden of being misrepresented by a regime that claims to speak in the name of my faith.
But let me be clear: Not only is there no contradiction between being a Muslim and believing in the separation of religion and state, but according to the teachings of true Islam, sovereignty belongs to the people, and it is they who must determine it. In fact, I believe such a vision is the only path toward restoring dignity, both for religion and for the people.
Faith and Freedom Are Not Opposites
My faith shapes my values, strengthens my resilience, and inspires compassion. But it is not a tool for governance. My faith is opposed to forced religion, forced government, and forced veiling, especially in a country as diverse as Iran. Democracy, by definition, can only flourish when there is a clear separation between religion and state, where people of all faiths or none are treated equally under the law.
In November 1985, the NCRI adopted a plan regarding the separation of religion and state for a future Iran, in which all forms of discrimination against followers of various religions and denominations in the enjoyment of their individual, social, and political rights are prohibited. Also, “the right of all religions and denominations to teach, proselytize, and freely perform their rituals and traditions, and the respect and security of all places belonging to them, are guaranteed.”
No to Compulsory Religion. The core of Islam is faith by choice, not force. Iran's clerical regime abuses Islam to maintain its grip on power. The NCRI advocates for religious freedom and rejects any form of religious privilege.#NCRIAlternative https://t.co/3VXd2d8rlv
— Elaheh Azimfar (@ElahehAzimfar) March 14, 2025
According to this plan, Shari’a courts and religious penalties such as stoning, amputations, and executions imposed by the current inhuman regime will all be dissolved.
Iran’s contemporary history has shown us what happens when this boundary is violated. The ruling regime has committed countless crimes under the banner of Islam. But the Islam I believe in, and the one practiced by the members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) enshrines freedom of belief. As the Quran says, “There is no compulsion in religion.” That verse is not just a phrase; it is a principle of justice, and it’s central to both my spirituality and my political convictions.
This is why I stand with the PMOI, the focal organization of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and its core values: democracy, pluralism, gender equality, and secular governance. I support a future Iran where religion belongs in the heart, not in the hands of power.
Maryam Rajavi, leader of the Iranian resistance movement: No to compulsory hijab, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory rule.
The right to freely choose their clothing and attire.https://t.co/42YvYeIJES
— Elaheh Azimfar (@ElahehAzimfar) February 26, 2025
Misconceptions About the PMOI
The PMOI was the founding force behind the NCRI, a coalition that includes people from all walks of life, secular, religious, leftist, and more. Over 50% of NCRI members are women.
Despite being the largest group within the NCRI, the PMOI holds no more voting power than any other member. This model of shared leadership is rare and impressive. It reflects the PMOI’s deep commitment to democratic decision-making and inclusivity, values that go far beyond religious affiliation.
The PMOI’s unifying principles are straightforward:
- No to the ruling theocracy.
- No return to the Shah’s dictatorship.
- Yes to separation of religion and state.
Any group or individual that supports these three principles is welcome to join the “National Solidarity Front” regardless of their broader political beliefs. This openness is what makes the coalition strong and resilient, even under brutal repression.
If some groups have distanced themselves, it is often not by choice. The Iranian regime has made public affiliation with the PMOI extremely dangerous, resulting in imprisonment, torture, and execution. But despite the risks, more and more young people and women inside Iran are joining the PMOI’s Resistance Units. That reality speaks louder than any propaganda.
And don't forget he is killing both Shia and Sunnis in Iran because he is mad about power, not about religion. But the Iranian people and their resistance will rid Iran, the Middle East, and the whole world of him.#FreeIran2025 https://t.co/qcQhKxhse6
— Elaheh Azimfar (@ElahehAzimfar) January 15, 2025
Hijab, Choice, and the Right to Dignity
As a woman who chooses to wear the hijab, I am often asked where I stand on women’s freedom of dress. My answer is simple: I fully support every woman’s right to choose what she wears. Whether she chooses the hijab or not, her decision must be respected without force, fear, or judgment.
Iranian women have suffered under both extremes. Under Reza Shah, they were forced to remove their hijabs. After 1979, Khomeini forced them to wear it. Both were violations of personal freedom.
Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the NCRI, has beautifully summarized this vision: No to compulsory veil. No to compulsory religion. No to compulsory government.
Let me share a moment in history that defines this principle. In the early days after the 1979 revolution, when Iranian women took to the streets to protest forced veiling, they were surrounded by regime thugs. Who came to their defense? PMOI women; women who wore the veil themselves stood between the attackers and the protestors. They formed a human shield, defending the right to choose, even if the choice was different from their own.
That’s the kind of women’s liberation I believe in. That’s the kind of Iran we must build.
#Iran Mullahs' crimes in abuse of religion go beyond human imagination. It is a must 2 get rid of this evil regime. https://t.co/Qotui9tRJy
— Elaheh Azimfar (@ElahehAzimfar) June 20, 2016
Reclaiming Islam from the Mullahs
The regime has defiled Islam for its own interests. But the right response is not to abandon faith or to shame those who still hold it. The answer is, first, to allow tolerant and democratic Muslims like the PMOI to expose Islamic fundamentalism and present their modern, humane interpretation of Islam. And second, to separate faith from power, so that every individual can reclaim their beliefs freely, without coercion or manipulation.
Trust is rebuilt not through slogans but through action. The PMOI and NCRI have never imposed religion. They have fought and sacrificed for a country where no one will ever again be jailed or killed because of what they believe or what they wear.
As a Muslim woman, I am standing for the same freedom I want for every Iranian: To live with dignity. To choose one’s path. To think, believe, speak, and act freely.
And yes, I believe this future is not only possible; it’s near.