Sediqeh Vasmaghi emphasized the necessity of separating religion from government in a letter from prison.
Sediqeh Vasmaghi, a religious scholar and imprisoned Islamic studies expert, emphasized the necessity of separating religion from government in an open letter regarding women’s rights and political Islam.
In this letter, published on an Instagram page attributed to Ms. Vasmaghi, it is stated that 45 painful years of living under Sharia laws, which the author believes are nothing more than ancient traditions, along with 45 years of living under the extremist jurisprudence of the Islamic Republic, have led many Iranians to conclude that religion must be separated from government. Undoubtedly, this separation is essential for the realization of the people’s sovereignty over their own destiny.
Ms. Vasmaghi was arrested at her home in Tehran in late March 2024, and it was said that her charges included boycotting elections, publishing a picture without a headscarf, and her opposing views on hijab.