| The Centre for the Muslim States and Societies (CMSS) invites you to a panel to discuss the ongoing protests and prospects for democracy and women’s rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The event will be chaired by Professor Samina Yasmeen, Director, CMSS.
Panelists include:
Professor Amin Saikal, “Back to Future?”
The recent unrest in the Islamic Republic of Iran reflects what the Iranian people had started as a pro-democratic transformation of the country in the revolution of 1978/79, which toppled the Shah’s monarchical rule and replaced it with Ayatollah Khomeini’s Islamic Government. Just as the aspirations of those who instigated that revolution were dashed, there is no certainty about the triumph of the present protests, given the nature of the Islamic regime and instruments of its state power. Why did that revolution fail in its original goal and what are the prospects for the current uprising?
Amin Saikal, AM, FASSA, is Adjunct Professor of Social Sciences, the Centre for Muslim States and Societies, at the University of Western Australia, and the author of Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic (Princeton University Press, 2021), and co-author, with James Piscatori, of Islam Beyond Borders: The Umma in World Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2019).
Tina Blobin, “Freedom Is Never Given. It Must Be Won”
Tina Blobin will argue that authoritarian regimes like the Iranian regime would never voluntarily provide for individual rights, including women’s rights. Activism and human rights advocacy, therefore, are a crucial means to win those rights. In this context, she will specifically talk about women’s activism in Iran and her own experiences as someone passionate about human rights and women’s agency in Iran.
Tina Blobin comes from an immigrant family from Iran. She has been actively involved in demonstrations against the Iranian regime’s treatment of women. She will speak about the authoritarian Iranian regime and its impact on women’s rights. She is passionate about international law, migration and human rights advocacy. Tina is currently studying at the University of Western Australia.
Flavia B. Zimmerman, “Reflections on Gender and Politics”
Flavia B. Zimmermann is a Lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Asian Studies and Politics, School of Social Sciences, UWA. She has conducted research on women and religion among immigrant women in Australia. She teaches gender and politics. |
