فارسى

A media outlet associated with the Islamic regime of Iran has condemned a Bread and Roses TV programme in which we drink wine and eat bread in solidarity with all the people who are faced with the Islamic regime of Iran’s security forces and thugs during Ramadan. Those who violate compulsory fasting rules face criminal offences and are met with harassment, beatings, 10 days to 2 months in prison and 74 lashes. (These restrictions can also be found in many others countries from Saudi Arabia to Morocco.)

Apparently, our programme entitled ‘happy fasting violations’ has caused a headache for the regime, given its quick response: “Fariborz Pooya, Bahram Soroush and Maryam Namazie, three mercenary counter-revolutionary elements, have in the past few days broadcast a clip entitled ‘happy defying fasting rules’ in cyberspace encouraging opponents of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran to defy fasting regulations! In this clip, Maryam Namazie, an immoral and corrupt woman who is considered a counter-revolutionary tool earning a living by doing anything to jostle a position for herself amongst the counter-revolutionaries, along with Fariborz Pooya and Bahram Soroush, drinks alcohol to the health of those who undermine the fasting rules; and according to her comes to challenge the system. She also encourages opponents to strike at the system by violating fasting rules”.

One can only laugh out loud at this nonsense. Of course I will encourage people to violate fasting rules! A regime that criminalises what people eat, drink and think and suppresses them deserves nothing less than our contempt. All the people who transgress its inhuman norms deserve our greatest support and solidarity.

Just as people in Iran violate gender segregation at stadiums, or unveil or … what could be better than defying fasting rules by eating in public during Ramadan?

I suggest that we hold an International Day to Defy Fasting Rules on 20 July at 1pm in support of all those who have been harassed, intimidated, beaten, abused, imprisoned, and flogged during Ramadan. At 1pm, I will be picnicking at Hyde Park with friends of Bread and Roses. Where will you be?

To join in the international day, send us details of your picnics, or email us video footage and photos of your picnics for broadcast on Bread and Roses TV.

From Iran to Maldives, Jordan to Iraq and Afghanistan, onwards towards an international movement of defying fasting rules!

Bread and Roses
نان و گل سرخ
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