Iranian woman faces stoning – here’s what you can do

Kobra Najjar is an Iranian woman facing imminent execution by stoning. Why? She’s been charged with adultery – when what really happened is that her husband forced her into prostitution to support his heroin addiction. I mentioned her case in this post.

Iranian women’s rights groups report that Ms. Najjar has exhausted all legal remedies available to her domestically.

The only hope for her now is for Iranian leaders to be pressured into releasing her.

You can help. Here’s how. I join Equality Now and the International Campaign Against Honour Killings in asking you to do the following:

Please contact the Iranian officials below, calling for Kobra Najjar’s immediate release, the commutation of all sentences of death by stoning and the prohibition by law of all cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments in accordance with Iran’s obligations under the ICCPR. Urge the officials also to initiate a comprehensive review of the Civil and Penal Codes of Iran to remove all provisions that discriminate and perpetuate discrimination against women, including those regarding adultery and fornication, in accordance with Iran’s own constitutional provision for equality before the law.

His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Head of the Judiciary
c/o Ministry of Justice          
Park-e Shahr
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: iripr@iranjudiciary.org, irjpr@iranjudiciary.com and info@dadgostary-tehran.ir
Phone:  +98 21 22741002, +98 21 22741003, +98 21 22741004, +98 21 22741005  

Note: your message may bounce back to you. Please keep trying.

Please also contact the Iranian embassy in your country.

* United States: Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Washington, D.C.

Tel:   202-965-4990  
Fax: 202-965-1073

* United Kingdom: Embassy of Iran in London

Tel: +02072253000
Fax: +02075894440                                                                                     

* Canada: Embassy of Iran in Ottawa

Tel: 613-235-4726 Ext 225
Fax: 613-232-5712

A comprehensive list can be found by clicking the link above or by visiting this page.

The Hijablog hearts my style – and I heart them for their support

I’ve done a handful of postings on here about hijab, women’s dress, and the importance of choice. The most fundamental issue being that women should have the right to choose – or reject – wearing the hijab. When you choose to, it has a fighting chance at being authentic. When you’re forced to, it’s dogma. When people demand that you remove it, they’re no better than those they claim to be fighting.

As a self-identified reform-minded Muslim, I’ve spent an awful lot of time questioning. I’ve dissented with leaders and peers. So what’s with the hijab, you might ask? Doesn’t being a “dissident” mean I’d reject something like that? 

Nope. And I’ll tell you why: it was not until I gave myself the freedom to question all of my communities – including the ‘progressive’ ones – that I found what my truth looks like. For some time, I felt that being “progressive” meant that I had to look a certain way. Turns out that’s not so. It also turns out that when you don’t buy into the dogma of any community, you’re able to pay attention to your own spiritual development. And guess what? I’ve come to realize that some of the things I questioned most heavily are the very things that bring me peace right now. It would seem that parents, peers and clerics shouldn’t be so afraid of dissent – that crucial exploration can bring so much more value than forced religiosity ever could.

I’ve recently come into contact with the wonderful blogstress at The Hijablog. And we’ve hardly discussed fashion – more than that, we’ve discussed the importance of faith in our lives. Today, The Hijablog features a post on me – and I’m honored and excited to share it with you. Click here to view it!

John McCain, the jealous diva

Not only does it appear that John McCain can’t do anything but defend “the surge! THE SURGE!”, but…

It also appears that he’s a little bitter about Obama’s celeb status.

A recent campaign ad got him into hot water with none other than the Hiltons. Why? McCain used the Hilton heiress, Paris, in his ad. You’ve got to see it – and then let me know if it makes any sense to you. I think they’re trying to suggest that Obama’s more famous than Britney or Paris, and just as unfit a statesperson. Or they’re trying to assert that his youth and fame will lead him to shave his head and get caught partying down with Lindsay Lohan. Maybe? 

Doesn’t quite work, though. Kind of like his off-shore drilling plans.

What does work? Paris’ retaliation. Check out her spoof of the McCain ad here.

Oh, and p.s. – Paris’ mom is a McCain donor. Not a smart move on the part of his campaign.