{"id":343676,"date":"2026-03-20T14:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T13:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=343676"},"modified":"2026-03-20T14:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T13:10:11","slug":"former-tunisian-minister-sihem-badi-neither-shah-nor-mullah-today-we-want-democracy-freedom-and-a-secular-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-resistance\/former-tunisian-minister-sihem-badi-neither-shah-nor-mullah-today-we-want-democracy-freedom-and-a-secular-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Tunisian Minister Sihem Badi: \u201cNeither Shah nor Mullah: Today We Want Democracy, Freedom, and a Secular System\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_343677\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-343677\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-343677 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sihem-badi-ncri-online-conference-15032026.jpg\" alt=\"Former Tunisian Minister Sihem Badi addresses an online conference held by the NCRI on March 15, 2026\" width=\"1000\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sihem-badi-ncri-online-conference-15032026.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sihem-badi-ncri-online-conference-15032026-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sihem-badi-ncri-online-conference-15032026-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sihem-badi-ncri-online-conference-15032026-742x420.jpg 742w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sihem-badi-ncri-online-conference-15032026-150x85.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sihem-badi-ncri-online-conference-15032026-696x394.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-343677\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Former Tunisian Minister Sihem Badi addresses an online conference held by the NCRI on March 15, 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">At an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-resistance\/international-online-conference-support-grows-for-ncri-provisional-government-and-ten-point-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">online conference<\/a> held by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) on March 15, 2026, former Tunisian Minister for Women Sihem Badi voiced strong support for the Iranian people\u2019s uprising and emphasized the central role of women in shaping the country\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Addressing an international audience of policymakers and activists, Badi described the struggle of Iranian women as a \u201cpowerful symbol of dignity and resistance,\u201d inspiring millions worldwide. She praised NCRI President-elect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryam-rajavi.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maryam Rajavi<\/a> for her leadership, stating that the fight for freedom and equality can grow from individual acts of courage into a historic movement.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Badi stressed that the protests in Iran are no longer isolated but represent a nationwide demand for justice, freedom, and democratic change. She firmly rejected both a return to the former monarchy and the continuation of the current clerical regime, declaring that \u201cthe past is past\u201d and that Iran\u2019s future must be decided solely by its people through a free and inclusive democratic process.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She also highlighted the importance of a secular system and warned against international inaction, arguing that neutrality is no longer an option. According to Badi, developments in Iran will have significant global and regional consequences.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">She concluded by calling for unity in supporting the Iranian people\u2019s aspirations for a free and democratic Iran.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>A translated version of Sihem Badi&#8217;s speech follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"Sihem Badi calls for global unity in support of the NCRI&rsquo;s vision for a free and democratic Iran.\" style=\"width:853px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_IxPmSqzwmfQ\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FIxPmSqzwmfQ%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IxPmSqzwmfQ\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT6M7S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2026-03-17T12:47:57Z\" \/><\/div><div id=\"lyte_IxPmSqzwmfQ\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FIxPmSqzwmfQ%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">Sihem Badi calls for global unity in support of the NCRI\u2019s vision for a free and democratic Iran.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/IxPmSqzwmfQ\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FIxPmSqzwmfQ%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"Sihem Badi calls for global unity in support of the NCRI&rsquo;s vision for a free and democratic Iran.\" width=\"853\" height=\"460\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"Read More: Former Tunisian Minister of Women&#039;s Affairs, Sihem Badi, delivers a stirring address at the International Online Conference, drawing parallels between the Tunisian revolution and the current uprising in Iran. As a veteran activist and political exile, Dr. Badi emphasizes the leading role of women in challenging religious despotism and highlights the NCRI\u2019s 10-point plan as a definitive roadmap for gender equality and social justice. She strongly endorses the NCRI\u2019s provisional government, arguing that its commitment to a secular, democratic republic is essential for lasting peace in the region. Her speech is a call to action for the international community to stand on the right side of history by supporting the Iranian people\u2019s organized resistance. https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-resistance\/international-online-conference-support-grows-for-ncri-provisional-government-and-ten-point-plan\/ https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IranNCR\/ https:\/\/twitter.com\/iran_policy Subscribe to NCRI weekly newsletter: https:\/\/bit.ly\/3SMgEla\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:853px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I am very happy to be with you today. You have been waiting for this day for a long time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Today, I speak because I support the Iranian people, who are courageously rising up against the dictatorship of the regime and against all forms of oppression that have suffocated fundamental freedoms for far too long.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The struggle I want especially to salute today is the struggle of Iranian women. It has become a powerful symbol \u2014 a powerful symbol of dignity and resistance. Their courage in the face of repression inspires not only their own people, but millions around the world.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">And among this group of women activists, there is one woman who has shown remarkable courage and resistance: Mrs. Maryam Rajavi. She has demonstrated that the fight for freedom, equality, and respect for human rights can begin with a simple act of courage and grow into a historic movement.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Today, it is not only isolated individuals who are protesting. It is an entire people rising up to demand justice, freedom, and a better future. Young people, workers, students, and families are all carrying the hope of a deep and long-awaited change.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Former Tunisian Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SihemBadi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SihemBadi<\/a>: &quot;I salute <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Maryam_Rajavi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Maryam_Rajavi<\/a>, whose words heal and transform into weapons of resistance that intimidate dictators. We will not relent; we will continue to wield words as weapons. These tools of resistance will persist until we reclaim our rights \u2014\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zR2r8aB2rV\">pic.twitter.com\/zR2r8aB2rV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/iran_policy\/status\/1766222233226113409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It must be said clearly: freedom and democracy cannot come from a return to the old regime, which caused so much suffering and injustice. We cannot reproduce the same system that inflicted such damage. There is ample evidence of the crimes committed against this people over decades.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Nor can they be embodied by the Shah\u2019s son or by a restoration of the past. The past is past. Today, there are men and women who have worked hard and sacrificed greatly to reflect on and prepare the construction of a free and democratic Iran.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">I believe that today they are ready, and they have the right to participate in building the long-awaited democracy in Iran. The future of Iran must be decided by the Iranian people, as Mrs. Maryam Rajavi has repeatedly emphasized. It is the Iranian people \u2014 and they alone \u2014 who must determine Iran\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">That future must once again be decided by the Iranian people themselves through a free and inclusive democratic process. True change can only arise from the will of the people, from just institutions, and from genuine respect for human rights. Iran deserves a future built on justice, freedom, and peace.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Former <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Tunisian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Tunisian<\/a> Minister <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SihemBadi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SihemBadi<\/a>: &quot;Throughout this year, the Iranian resistance has fortified its principles and intensified its struggle against tyranny and oppression, which plague <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Iran<\/a>. Strengthened by growing numbers of supporters rallying to its cause, the Iranian\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8kDhbmdwhJ\">pic.twitter.com\/8kDhbmdwhJ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/iran_policy\/status\/1771133821020172358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 22, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The transitional government proposed by Maryam Rajavi has clearly emphasized this principle: freedom and peace. I hope that the future will allow us to finally realize this dream \u2014 a dream that, perhaps today, with your determination, with the uprising of this people, and with so many around the world supporting you, is closer than ever to becoming reality against all forms of dictatorship.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The dictatorship of the current regime, and the dictatorships others seek to impose\u2026 Today, we cannot remain neutral. We cannot watch without acting. We must support the Iranian people and your movement, because this struggle will have consequences not only for Iran but on a global scale. It will reshape politics and geopolitics in the region.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">[&#8230;] It is time to help this people finally realize their dream, to live their democracy, to open the prison doors, to end repression and dictatorship \u2014 and as you have rightly said: neither Shah nor mullah. Today, we want democracy, freedom, and a secular system. And I believe that with you, it is entirely possible to achieve this.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Let us seize this moment and not let it pass without action. Together, we stand with you, we support you \u2014 and long live a free and democratic Iran.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At an online conference held by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) on March 15, 2026, former Tunisian Minister for Women Sihem Badi voiced strong support for the [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":343677,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[222],"class_list":{"0":"post-343676","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-iran-resistance","8":"tag-iranian-resistance"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Former Tunisian Minister Sihem Badi: \u201cNeither Shah nor Mullah: Today We Want Democracy, Freedom, and a Secular 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