Voices of South Azerbaijan: Simin Sabri: Women in These Protests Burn Their Hijabs as a Symbol of the Iranian Regime

Simin Sabri: Women in These Protests Burn Their Hijabs as a Symbol of the Iranian Regime

Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, September 23, 2022

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last week while in police custody for allegedly violating Iran’s hijab laws has sparked widespread protests across the country.

In an interview with Voice of America, women's rights activist Simin Sabri discussed the reasons behind the protests and the demands of women in Iranian Azerbaijan.

The Voices of Azerbaijan is dedicated to exploring and amplifying the experiences of marginalized Turkish communities in South Azerbaijan and broader Iran. We examine the intersections of ethnicity, language, gender, class, power, and marginalization, offering a platform for these communities to share their voices and engage in critical discussions. Our mission is to raise awareness, advocate for social justice, and contribute to both academic and public discourse through diverse perspectives.

We explore ethnicity, language, gender, and politics in their full complexity, recognizing communities as social and political agents and examining how these identities shape and are shaped by political and social dynamics.

Our focus encompasses key issues related to language, education, and society, investigating how language policies and educational practices affect the status of ethnic minorities, particularly Turkish-speaking populations. We aim to reveal the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion in language and education, illustrating how these factors shape these communities' social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental realities.

Through this blog, we aim to provide valuable insights for community members in Azerbaijan and Iran, as well as for those in the diaspora. Our platform serves journalists, writers, academics, and students seeking to understand the social, cultural, economic, and political positions of Iran’s ethnic and linguistic minoritized communities. We critically examine power relations and the marginalization these groups face, focusing on topics neglected by mainstream media and academic research in Iran.

We are committed to promoting dialogue on diversity, inclusion, and justice. Our vision is to contribute to a society where the challenges of all communities are recognized, the socio-historical dynamics of power and privilege are acknowledged, and inclusive, discrimination-free discourses and policies are both envisioned and implemented.

Published articles and interviews on this platform do not imply endorsement by Voices of Azerbaijan. They represent the views and opinions of the respective authors.

Contact Voices of Azerbaijan for inquiries and collaborations: voicesazerbaijan@gmail.com

Pages

Simin Sabri: Women in These Protests Burn Their Hijabs as a Symbol of the Iranian Regime