Ultimate Absurdity! Maryam Namazie’s belated reply or a timely damage control? – Azar Majedi and Homa Arjomand

 

 

Maryam Namazie after nearly two years has responded to Azar Majedi and Homa Arjomand’s article: “Masks are Torn! Ex-Muslim from Frying Pan to Fire”, (1) which was written in response to her article “Azar Majedi and Homa Arjomand’s Islamist propaganda and Morality.”(2)

The first question that comes to mind is why it has become necessary to respond to a critique from two years ago? A critique that came to fore and got heated around the Palestinian genocide. It is because, if 8 months into the genocide (When our article was published) many, such as EX-Muslim, Secularist, Humanist and mainstream Feminist organisations could get away with keeping silent about Israel’s genocide in Gaza and look the other way, without risking their reputation as “progressive and humanitarian”, now it is impossible. Even some European states are now condemning the genocide and boycotting the Eurovision, because of Israel’s participation.

The murder and bloodshed committed by Israel with the full support of the US and the West is out in the open and impossible to look away from. The “anti-Semite” catch phrase used to gas-light those who opposed the genocide and Israel, has lost its edge. It only creates backlash now.

So why is it now the time to reply? Because, more than anything, it is about damage control; Maryam’s, her organisation and her movement’s reputation is at stake. Their reputation has been stained by hypocrisy, double standard, racism and pro Israel/Zionist tendency. Therefore, in order to stay effective, she needs to whitewash her reputation as a “left progressive.”

These bloody three years have changed the world. The world is awakening, eyes are opening up. The world is empathising with Palestine and people have come to the streets in solidarity with Palestinians and all victims of Israel/US. People see the real reason for all this murder, destruction and misery in the whole region. Therefore, in order to remain among the “left progressives” one must distance oneself from the genocide and Israel and the US. Two years ago when Maryam wrote her first article calling us “Islamists” she still did not dare, nor saw it necessary to openly condemn the genocide and Israel.

There is another event that makes her article even more necessary, the war on Iran by US and Israel. Maryam is expected to make a stand; Iran is her birth place, a difficult situation. But here too, she uses the “Islamism” and “religious-Right” (whatever that means) to soften the blame on US and Israel.

War on Iran

She states No to war, but formulates the argument around the topic in a way that this “No” becomes conditional to the “No” to the Islamic Republic. Therefore, this slogan becomes viable when either there is no Islamic Republic or it is attacked at the same time.  Every decent, freedom-loving and progressive person agrees to the No to the war and Islamic Republic. However, the point under debate is that these two No-s are not dependant on each other and any effort to represent them as such is an attempt to justify the war, to soften the critique against the war and to whitewash the warmongers. This is the main point that Maryam tries to mystify. This is not a puzzle; it is a clever way to soften the blame and criticism towards Israel and US.

EX-Muslim and Co. have used this technique for the past 2 decades: Turning the narrative around in order to benefit state terrorism, US and Israel, by pointing the finger at Islamists. This is to imply that if Israel commits genocide, wipes off a whole people from the land, if it is constantly expanding, it is because of Hamas and Islamic Republic. This resonates with the same “victimhood” mentality that Zionism is built upon.  A very useful and simple formula!

To imply that Islamic regime is the cause of war, it’s either propaganda or idiotic. Islamic Republic is responsible for many crimes, crimes against humanity, brutal exploitation and enormous suffering imposed on the people, but it is not the cause of this war. Islamic regime cannot both be so clever to be the leader of Islamic terrorism which Maryam and her movement deem as more dangerous than state terrorism and at the same time so dumb to cause a war which is a real threat to its survival. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Can you see how this “religious-Right” monster and Islamism come to the rescue of Israel and US in their obvious crimes against humanity? One must just remind her that your just hatred of the Islamic Republic cannot and should not be used to soften, or even subtly justify another crime. One does not need to condemn Islamism anytime one feels the need to condemn state terrorism, that is, US imperialism spearheaded by Israel.

An attempt to discredit us!

Maryam’s first attempt to label us “Islamist” two years ago had a purpose, trying to discredit two known socialists, women’s rights and secular/atheist activists who defended the Palestinians throughout their political history and condemned the massacre and genocide of the Palestinians and who rightfully criticised the secular/humanist/feminist movements for their deafening silence. (3)  She called us “Islamists.”

We refuted all her arguments and propaganda in the above-mentioned article.(1) A response to our article does not have any meaning or credibility without a solid clear condemnation of Israeli’s genocide in Gaza. Therefore, Maryam kept quiet because at the time it was not possible for her to do so and the world still was under such deep propaganda that one could perhaps get away with silence. We described her situation in our article titled “From frying pan to fire”(1). Just to mention an example: In a secularist conference in Paris months after the start of genocide they criticised Islam in and out, nothing about Judaism and no mention of the bloodshed in Gaza which they could watch right there on their screens. This long wait is not accidental, it is calculated propaganda technique. She is acting according to a script again.

The main thesis of Maryam’s article

The article presents a false, arbitrary dichotomy: “A politics of emancipation must confront both imperialism and the religious-Right. The attempt to subordinate one to the other is a form of political erasure.” What does she mean by “religious-Right?” No explanation is given. Is there also a religious-Left? If yes, which religion? Does she tolerate that?

One can assume that by this term she means Islamism. Because the only religion she criticises is Islam. The only religious political movement she refers to is Islamist. She has not even once specifically criticised Judaism nor Israel as a Jewish apartheid state; and no mention of Zionism as a terrorist movement which fought for the creation of Israel and it is still running the show.

The whole article is incoherent, pompous and superficial. She uses a lot of empty jargons to say Azar and Homa are pro-Islamists. The arguments are haphazard, arbitrary and inconsistent. It seems the aim is to create mist and fog rather than throwing light at some political and philosophical truth as it is claimed. It is propaganda not reasoning and arguments. She seems to have a script she has to follow.

Her article does not contain a polemic, a reasoned argument trying to prove the false position of the other side; it is rather more gas-lighting. Her method is exactly like what we have observed in the past two and half years, call your opponent an “anti-Semite” or pro Hamas. But, this doesn’t work anymore. It has lost its power. It’s been exposed.

Our position is that a Socialist, a progressive, a freedom-loving person with conscience must condemn any forms of reaction, brutality and oppression. We condemn and oppose the Islamist movement for all its crimes and oppressive methods. We have fought against the Islamic Republic since the moment of its inception. But we do not lose perspective. We have a clear vision based on a clear analysis of the political situation in the region and worldwide. It was the US imperialism with Israel as its spearhead that created the Islamic movement and have supported and funded it while “fighting” it. This was a clever scenario to create war and devastation in the region to achieve the goal of the New Middle East and the Greater Israel. They are admitting it themselves, but these “anti-Islamists” refuse to listen.

Islamic Republic was brought to power through a regime change imposed on the 1979 Revolution in Iran. All Islamic terrorist organisations, Al Qaida, Taliban, and ISIS were created by CIA, Mossad and MI6. Hamas was created by Israel. They have been funded by the US. (There are videos of US officials, including Hillary Clinton, and former intelligence officers who have admitted this.) Yes, we condemn them both, but we don’t use one to excuse the other side.

Maryam writes: “Islamism was fostered in specific historical conditions such as the US Cold War strategy to create an Islamic belt around the Soviet Union and the West’s role in the expropriation of the Iranian revolution by Islamism. (In clear speech, the West organised a regime change to abort the Iranian revolution.) These origins are relevant. But causation is not exoneration.”

We are baffled by what she really means by this pompous expression: “causation is not exoneration.” She is apparently implying that we are “exonerating” Islamic movement; but on what basis? Her response is not clear. She continues, by stating without any proof, that “Their politics is clear: political positions must align with one of two opposing camps; critique becomes illegitimate if it risks benefiting the other.” It is difficult to make sense of her arguments; one un-based claim after another.

Another example of a vague and arbitrary statement: “Hamas, enabled by Israel as a counterweight to the secular PLO, is not reducible to Israeli strategy. To explain them as secondary displaces the social relations through which domination is exercised.” This is another example of pompous and hollow argument. What does she mean by “is not reducible to Israeli strategy?”

Hamas was created by Israel in 1987 as an instrument to divide and weaken Palestinian resistance movement, which was mainly secular with leftist tendencies. “Divide and Rule” is the main reason for this creation. Furthermore, Israel has used Hamas to completely occupy Gaza and to create a concentration camp there. This is the history before the recent genocide. Since its creation by Israel, Hamas has been used as the main tool to justify murder, genocide, expansion and ethnic cleansing. Hamas card has played a monumental role in Israel’s politics of expansion and occupation, i.e. its political strategy. That is why Hamas was being funded by Qatar on the request/order of Israel/US until 7^th of October 2023 and beyond. (Netanyahu has been taped in 2019 where he adamantly defends funding of Hamas.)

Another mind-blowing statement that is in fact amusing is as follows:

“Dissent is judged not on its truth but on its geopolitical alignment. This is the politics of enforced binaries. It is also Eurocentric. By centring Western power as the organising axis, it renders all other forms of domination derivative.”

This is a desperate attempt to look clever and sophisticated when one has no valid case or argument. It is shocking to see the term Eurocentric is used in this upside down context. It seems she has lost any coherent train of thought. The article in reality is empty of any viable thesis or argument. The aim is not to encourage a debate to reach some eye-opening conclusions. It is to defend her reputation so as to continue to whitewash atrocities by the US imperialism and the West spearheaded by Israel by justifying their actions as a response to actions of an Islamic evil created by the perpetrator themselves. A very clever scenario!

EX-Muslim is a mosaic in the “Clash of Civilisation” myth which was scripted to prepare the world for a total destruction of a region, killing millions of people, ruining a whole region to rubbles and destroying any reminiscence of ancient civilisations; that is to erase a whole people, their memories and histories.  This narrative was necessary for the extension of the colonialist project which was planted after the WWI; the creation of Israel until the Greater Israel is reached and the New Middle East is formed. They have succeeded to carry out the project, by killing many million human beings and the total destruction of the region.

It is not necessary to dwell much on the origins of EX-Muslim, we have elaborated on it before. It is sufficient to say that the patron of British EX-Muslim, the main donor and moral supporter of CEBM is the famous atheist Richard Dawkins who in the midst of genocide and activation of far-right and anti-Muslim sentiments in England, in an interview with  L Rachel Johnson at LBC radio described himself as a “cultural Christian”, expressed discomfort at the promotion of Ramadan over Easter and the rise in number of mosques in Europe, calling the decline of Christian culture “dreadful.” He specifically noted that in places like Africa, if Christian and Muslim missionaries are fighting for loyalty, he is “on Team Christianity”. (Using the term missionaries for Islam is rather odd. Perhaps he was softening the word mercenaries.) https://youtu.be/COHgEFUFWyg?si=IN7Eh2tDU7K9aCHH

 To add salt to the wounds, his name has come out on Epstein files.

Epstein was supporting him and some other “atheist philosophers.” One wonders why Epstein, a high member of American ruling class with access to anyone anywhere in the power structure, a representative for Rothschild, the family to whom Balfour Agreement was addressed by the British Prime minister, a man who was at the top of a Mossad intelligence/blackmail operation, (called honey trap) who was so “fanatically” Jewish that called any non-Jewish “Goyum”*, was interested in an atheist professor? One should try to scratch the surface and look deeper.

The role some of the famous atheists played in demonising Muslims, creating a psychological environment where people in the West saw Muslims and people in the Middle East as lower beings is undeniable. They played a significant role in propaganda campaign in the war on Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, now Iran, but first and foremost Palestine; people like Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. When one sees this reality,  then everything falls into place. US, the West spearheaded by Israel wrote and executed the scenario and the narrative for decades in order to forge the total destruction and occupation of the Middle East. Netanyahu warned about Islamic terrorism in a conference in Washington in 1984 and the rest is history.

Secularism and humanism as a movement have been predominantly focused on Islam, some critique of Christianity almost nothing about Judaism. The secularist/atheist think-tank played an important role in demonising Muslims and implementing the anti-Muslim narrative deeply in society.

Maryam throws this so-called critic at us: “The same logic that reduces dissent to imperial instrument also reduces dissenters to a homogeneous bloc serving a single geopolitical function.” Honestly, we do not comprehend what she means. Chat GBT writes more clearly, argues more logically and coherently.

Protest or not protest, that is not the question!

Maryam writes: “If political legitimacy is determined by which camp you are aligned with, then forms of resistance that do not conform to it are recast as illegitimate.” Another pompous claim! We must state that these claims are arbitrary and self-made.

We have criticised her and EX-Muslim for their provocative actions. This is not to deny them the right to protest and freedom of expression; these are legal concepts. We are criticising their methods and actions as socio-politically harmful. We find drinking alcohol and smoking in front of places which are identified with Islam or Muslims during Muslim fasting provocative, which helps intensify anti-Muslim environment in the West and create a climate of hostility. It demonises Muslims. Moreover, it is contrary to the secularist doctrine of rationality and logic. What is your message? Is Fasting bad, alcohol and cigarettes are good? Are the two latter superior to the former? A claim which you don’t need to be a doctor or a health practitioner to refute; the response might be: the aim is not to compare the two acts but to mock fasting and Islamic rules. This is playing in the hands of far-Right. From the fear of Islamism you run towards the far-Right, Reform Party and Tommy Robinson.

Our criticism of your provocative actions has nothing to do with which camp you belong to. We are concerned about the effects of your actions on the society, in intensifying hostility towards Muslims, demonising Muslims, harassing Muslims and feeding the fascist (far-Right) movement that has become incredibly aggressive.

Your acts against “religious-Right” are helping the “far right.” In Britain it is the Reform Party and Tommy Robinson who benefit the most from your mockery of Islam. Your “fast-defying” methods are toxic, in the midst of alarming anti-Muslim racism, when Muslims are being attacked and run over by cars; EX-Muslim continues to demonstrate in these provocative modes. Drinking alcohol and smoking in front of places identified with Islam and Muslims is not mind-opening, it is not about rationality, reason, against superstition; it is toxic. Just imagine if some young kids take your advice of drinking and smoking and laughing at people who fast.

It is interesting that mocking Muslims by drinking alcohol in the place of worship is not EX-Muslim’s invention, it is historical. French colonialist army officers used to enter mosques in Algeria and North Africa, on horseback and drink wine in the 19^th century to belittle and dehumanise Algerians. Maryam has modernised an entrenched and despised historical act with pride on one side and disgust on the other. Perhaps, this is why the French government has awarded her with a medal. Showing their gratitude for bringing French history to life in the most “modern” way possible!

Naked protest alienation not liberation!

Azar Majedi has written an article to criticise the false idea that naked protest by women is a liberatory tool.(3) We are not going to debate this here. We will leave this to another occasion. But mentioning one fact is crucial and it completes the whole puzzle of EX-Muslim and its actions.

Naked protest in this modern form started by FEMEN an originally Ukrainian feminist organisation which is located in France since 2013. FEMEN is a regime-change tool, established by a man in 2008 in Ukraine, stating that they use female naked body to protest because it attracts more attention. They played a significant role in the Colour Revolution in Ukraine, 2011-2013. Their then deputy leader Inna Shevchenko (as their leader was still a man) moved to France and very soon after arrival, President François Hollande in July 2013 unveiled a new French postage stamp featuring a Marianne (the symbol of the French Republic) that was designed based on Inna Shevchenko, The stamp was unveiled on Bastille Day (July 14, 2013) to represent the youth of France. This is considered a very high award being offered to a foreigner. Then Manuel Valls, Hollande’s prime minister awarded Maryam Namazie with Prix International de la Laïcité (International Secularism Prize) 2016.  

Awarding one of the highest national symbols to a foreign national is a very significant act, it cannot be overlooked. One must look deeper. FEMEN is supported and promoted by the West for the purpose of regime change in Ukraine and since moving to France it has become an important anti-Muslim tool. Perhaps now one can connect the dots; the connection between EX-Muslim and FEMEN becomes clear as well.

Awards are not given without a reason and expecting something in return. From national awards to Noble peace prize are political tools. And here, can you see the connection? FEMEN and EX-Muslim united in action as propaganda tools of Western imperialism.

The last word: As we already stated Maryam’s article is empty of any serious content or logical argument. We tried our best to respond to the points as to demystify the debate. We must tell Maryam, that this method if it once worked, it does not work anymore. You must clearly, strongly, unequivocally condemn the genocide of the Palestinians by Israel supported by US and the West, i.e. State Terrorism. The Wishy-washy, liberal statements of always condemning Islamists for crimes committed by Israel/US, such as the one below, do not save your face. Your reputation is vastly tarnished. You are losing your use-value.

Maryam says: “Opposing the Israeli state’s genocide in Gaza is a moral and political necessity. But progressive politics does not end with denunciation of one pole of power. It interrogates all dominant forces, including those within societies facing imperialism and occupation.”

Even here she is not ready to categorically condemn the Israeli genocide. She nonchalantly opposes the genocide and immediately adds a “but”, the famous “but.” While she insouciantly refers to, in one short sentence, a historical genocide which brutally killed thousands, including thousands of children; in the same article she writes a long heart-breaking description and condemnation of 7^th of October and Hamas. (A day that has shown how Israel is capable of killing its own citizens for its political project; Israeli media, including Haaretz have exposed the role of Israeli army in killing many of the “hostages” according to what is called the “Hannibal Directive.” The rape and child beheading accusations have not been proved or confirmed by any credential body; some of the testimonies of freed hostages  completely contradict the Israeli narrative of the treatment of hostages.)

If you want to be on the right side of the history you have to accept your fault and make an honest turn around. You can’t whitewash your silence, your complicity by throwing empty jargons at your critics. These jargons do not mean anything. They do not serve the purpose you intend. You know it and we know it. It is now time for the people to also see it.

27 April 2026

1- https://www.thepensivequill.com/2025/04/masks-are-torn-ex-muslims-from-frying.html

“Masks are Torn! Ex-Muslim from Frying Pan to Fire”

https://www.azar-majedi.com/english/articles-2024

2- https://www.thepensivequill.com/2024/10/azar-majedi-and-homa-arjomands-islamist.html

3- https://www.thepensivequill.com/2025/05/do-we-stand-on-side-of-justice-or.html

An Open Letter to the Secularist Entities in the West; Do  We stand on the Side of Justice or Genocide? History will judge us all!

https://www.azar-majedi.com/english/articles-2024

4- https://www.azar-majedi.com/english/articles-2011-20233-

“Nudity or Nudity, That is the Question!”

* Goyum or Goyim (singular: goy) is a Hebrew and Yiddish term for a non-Jewish person or people, literally translating to “nations” or “peoples“. While neutrally used within some Jewish communities, it is often considered pejorative depending on context and tone. It is sometimes utilized by antisemitic groups as a derogatory term or in conspiracy theories. (AI. Online)