Iranian and American Feminists Declare Solidarity During Iran-Wide Protests

January 16, 2018 by Iranian and American Feminists | Leave a Comment

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As the largest wave of protests since the 2009 Green Movement erupted across more than 80 cities and towns in Iran in late December 2017 to early January of 2018, we again saw women’s active participation.

Women have played an active role in people’s fighting back against the economic hardship, increasing corruption, and oppressive rules in Iran, especially discrimination and violence on the bases of gender, sexuality, religion and ethnic differences. Furthermore, in the past 30 years, the women’s rights movement has become an essential part of the civil rights and pro-democracy struggles of Iranians under the theocratic regime.

However, as in many other Muslim-majority countries, Iranian feminists and gender activists frequently get caught within a double bind: On one hand, there is a patriarchal cultural and legal system reinforced by the ruling clerics and fundamentalists inside the country; on the other are interventionist forces in the West who exploit women’s rights for their own benefit.

On December 26, just a couple of days preceding the surge of  protests in Iran, the photo of a brave Iranian woman objecting to the compulsory hijab in Tehran went viral. The woman, seen standing on a platform with her white scarf tied to a pole she is waving gently and her head bare, was not the first one to defy the compulsory veiling; her action was part of the women’s rights movement in Iran, specifically the campaign for freedom of choice concerning women’s dress code.

Unfortunately, some right-wing individuals or media outlets have used the aforementioned anti-compulsory hijab action to score points against American feminists who have been at the forefront of the resistance movement against the sexist actions and regressive policies shown by any governments in the U.S., past or present—especially those of President Trump. Some who have no record of advocacy for American women’s rights at home have suddenly become advocates of women’s rights abroad, particularly in Iran—and, ironically, have used their sudden fervor as an excuse to attack women’s groups, activists and feminist activism in efforts such as the Women’s March and the #MeToo movement. Of particular note were their attacks on some participants or organizers of the Women’s March who were wearing headscarves attempting to pit them against that brave Iranian woman who had taken off her headscarf.

We hereby raise our objection to such opportunistic and divisive tactics. The struggle of Iranian women should not be used to undermine the work of American feminists, especially those who have worked to build the largest day of an inclusive global protest in the history of the world. While the Iranian women protesting compulsory hijab policies reckon with them by removing their scarves, the campaign’s message is even more astute. Their campaign is one for a woman’s right to wear or not wear a headscarf by their own choosing—not by force and state imposition. Painting an American Muslim woman activist with a headscarf as a “fake feminist” and pitting her against that bare-headed Iranian woman is no more than a cynical attempt to cause conflict—and does nothing to further international solidarity and transnational sisterhood among women fighting for equal rights and freedom of choice.

The women challenging the compulsory hijab in Iran are fighting for their dignity—just as generations of Iranian women have since the first Iranian feminists began organizing in the early 20th century. Iranian women have been tirelessly challenging inequality in every possible area of their public and personal lives—from fighting unjust family laws, to the equal access to education and employment, for the right to play and watch sports in stadiums, to the right to participate in political leadership of their country as a presidential candidate. And so are the women marching in the U.S.—who are, with more energy than ever, fighting hard to end sexual harassment, demanding freedom of choice and challenging racism, homophobia, xenophobia and exploitation.

Just as Americans stood with Iranians and other immigrant groups opposing the unjust travel ban, American feminists have and will continue to stand with Iranian women in their fight for equality at home in Iran and abroad as immigrants.

We will not let our mutual struggles for freedom and justice be appropriated and used to attack other defenders of women’s rights. We will not allow the fight of Iranian women for freedom, equality and justice to be co-opted and used against women elsewhere.

We can, and must, ensure that our fight for women’s rights and freedoms are aligned and intersectional. We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in this fight for the common causes of democracy, equal rights, peace and non-violence—nationally and transnationally—across ideological or sectarian, racial, ethnic, sexual or national backgrounds.

Feminism is a movement built on solidarity and intersectionality, and our fight for gender equality knows no borders.

Association for Middle East Women’s Studies – Task Force for Human Rights
Feminist Majority Foundation
International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
Iranian Circle of Women’s Intercultural Network
Ms. magazine
Women’s Intercultural Network
Women’s March San Francisco

Alyce LaViolette, MFT, Alternatives to Violence, Long Beach, CA
Amy Tahani-Bidmeshki, PhD, Occidental College
Angie Abdelmonem, NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Faculty Association, Arizona State University School for the Future of Innovation in Society
Anousheh Machouf, Psychologist
Asieh Amini, Iranian Poet, Journalist human/women’s rights activist
Ava Homa, Writer and activist-Sunset Beach, CA
Azadeh Davachi, Iranian Poet, writer and women’s rights activist
Azadeh Kian, Professor of Sociology, Director of CEDREF, University of Paris 7-Diderot
Azadeh Pourzand, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Siamak Pourzand Foundation
Barbara B Wilson, LCSW, EDPNA, Mental Health Hook Up, Valencia, CA
Breny Mendoza, Chair of Gender & Women’s Studies, California State University, Northridge
Carmen Perez,  Executive Director of The Gathering for Justice, Women’s March Board Member
Carmen Rios, Ms. magazine
Carol Stabile, Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park and Fembot Collective
Chelo Alvarez-Stehle, Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker, Malibu, California
Claudia Sobral, Brazilian Documentary Filmmaker and Cultural worker, Los Angeles, United States
Delaram Ali, Women and Children’s Rights Advocate, Iran
Dolores Huerta, Dolores Huerta Foundation
Efat Mahbaz, Writer and Human Rights Activist, London
Ehteram Shadfar, Women’s Rights Activist, Iran
Elahe Amani, Chair, Global Circles of Women’s Intercultural Network
Elahé Chokraie, Feminist Activist
Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor, Harvard University Divinity School
Ellen Dubois, Research Professor, History, UCLA
Fariba Boghraty , Business woman, Irvine, CA
Farideh Kioumehr, Founder & Executive Director, International Health & Epidemiology Research Center
Farzaneh Fathi, Women’s rights activist, Vienna 
Fatemeh Haghighatjoo, Former Parliament Deputy, Reformist Faction and Women’s Rights Advocate
Fatemeh Keshavarz, Director School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Chair of Roshan Institute for Persian Studies, University of Maryland, College Park
Firouzeh Mohajer, Translator and Human Rights Activist, Iran
Frances S. Hasso, Associate Professor, Duke University, and Editor, Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies
Freeda Saba Limonadi, JD, MS Communications, TV Journalist / producer, California
Haideh Moghissi, Emerita Professor and Senior Scholar, York University, Toronto, Canada
Hasmic Nazarian, Glendale, CA
Hellen Nooshei, Accountant, CA
Hengameh Abbasi, Radio Producer, Freelance journalist
Homa Hoodfar, Professor of Anthropology, Emerita, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
Homa Mahmoudi, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, Los Angeles
Homa Sarshar, Author, award winning journalist & media personality, Los Angeles, California
Jamileh Nedaie, Filmmaker, feminist activist
Janell Hobson, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, University at Albany., SUNY
Janet Afary, Professor, Gender and Religious Studies, UCSB
Judith Plaskow, Professor, Manhattan College, emerita
Karen S. Harper, Advocate for the Hmong population, Long Beach, CA
Karon Jolna, Ph.D., Ms. magazine and UCLA Center for the Study of Women
Katherine Spillar, Executive Editor, Ms. magazine
Kelly Dennehy-Schumann, Women’s March Bay Area Board Member
Khadijeh Moghaddam, Iranian Women’s Rights and Environmental Activist
Khanum Shaikh, Assistant Professor, Gender & Women’s Studies and Asian American Studies, CSUN
Laleh Ramezani, President, Always Best Care Senior Services, Beach Cities
Leslie Salzinger, Associate Professor, Gender & Women’s Studies, UC Berkeley
Lieve Snellings, UZ Leuven, Campus Gasthuisberg, Belgium
Linda Sarsour, Racial justice and civil rights activist, Women’s March Board Member
Mahasti Afshar, Ph.D. Independent Scholar
Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh, Iranian Women Rights Activist, Founder and Director of ZananTV
Mahdokht Sanati, Board Member of Iranian Children’s Rights Society in LA, LA, California
Mandana Zandian, MD. Iranian Poet, Journalist
Mansoureh Shojaee, Writer, Researcher and Human Rights Activist
Margaret Towner, Educator, Long Beach, USA
Martha Shaughnessy, Communications Lead of Women’s March SF, Founder of The Key
Mary Elaine Hegland, Professor of Dept. of Anthropology, Santa Clara University, CA
Maryam Ahari, MD, Human/women’s Rights activist
Masih Alinejad, Journalist, civil rights activist and founder of “My Stealthy Freedom” campaign
Mehrangiz Kar, Lawyer, writer and women’s rights activist
Minoo Riahi, Orange County Library, California
Mitra Saffari, Social Activist
Nahid Husseini, Kingston University, London, and Women’s Rights Activist
Nahid Mirhaj, Human/women’s rights activist, Iran
Naida Tushnet, PhD. Retired Education Researcher. Long Beach, CA USA
Nancy Gallagher, Research Professor, Emerita, University of California, Santa Barbara
Nasrin Rahimieh, Professor and Chair of the Department of Comparative Literature, UCI
Nasrin Sotoudeh, Attorney at Law and Human/Women’s Rights Activist, Iran
Nayereh Tohidi, Professor of Gender & Women’s Studies and Director of Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies, CSUN
Nazy Azima, Journalist, translator & writer, Washington DC
Neda Bolourchi, Founder/Executive Director, FarsiVoter, CA
Nehzat Farnoody, Ph.D., Psychotherapist
Nelly Farnoody-Zahiri, Ph.D. Psychologist, Media/Host of Mom Talk-LA
Nima Machouf, Epidemiologist
Parastou Forouhar, Artist and Women’s Rights Activist
Pardis Ghandhari, Women’s Rights Activist
Partow Nooriala, Poet, writer and women’s rights activist
Parvin Ardalan, Iranian Women’s Rights Activist
Parvin Malek – Retired teacher , Fresno CA
Rezvan Moghaddam, Iranian Women’s Rights Activist
Roja Bandari, Ph.D. Iranian Women’s Rights Advocate, Co-lead of Women’s March San Francisco
Rouhi Shafii, Writer, Translator and Executive Director of International Coalition Against Violence in Iran (ICAVI)
Sabri Najafi, Women Rights and Human Rights activist, Florence, Italy
Sepideh Jodeyri, Iranian Poet
Shahin Navai , Entomologist, Berlin, Germany
Shahla Haeri, Associate Professor, Anthropology, Boston University
Sheena Malhotra, Associate Dean, College of Humanities, California State University, Northridge
Sherna Gluck, Former Pacifica Radio producer, Emerita Faculty, California State University, Long Beach
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureate, Founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran
Simin Rouzgard, Human Rights Activist, Canada
Sofia Sadighpour, Educational Psychologist  
Sondra Hale, Research Professor, Emerita, University of California, Los Angeles
Sophia Andary, Women’s March San Francisco Co-lead
Soraya Fallah, CSUN, Researcher at CTL
Soudeh Rad, Iranian Gender equality advocate , President of Spectrum
Suad Joseph, Distinguished Research Professor, University of California, Davis
Sudi Farrokhnia, Women’s Rights Activist and ICWIN Member 
Suzanne Safar, Board Member of A More Balanced World, Oxnard, California
Wendy Griffin, Academic Dean, Cherry Hill Seminary
Zahra Biloo, Civil Rights Attorney & Community Organizer
Zamaneh Mofidi, PhD candidate ‘Women in Religion,’  Claremont Graduate University, California
Zayn Kassam, John Knox McLean Professor of Religious Studies, Pomona College
Ziba Mir-Hosseini, Professorial Research Associate, Center for Islamic and Middle Eastern Law, SOAS, University of London

This is the published version of the statement that many of you have signed.

Please help with its wide dissemination:

 

http://msmagazine.com/blog/2018/01/16/iranian-american-feminists-declare-solidarity-iran-wide-protests/

 

http://amews.org/letter-on-iran-us-feminist-solidarity/

 

Here is its Farsi (Persian) version:   نسخه فارسی

http://www.iran-emrooz.net/index.php/news1/72553/

UNAUSA-SFV chapter celebrated the Human Rights Day

UNAUSA-SFV chapter  celebrated the Human Rights Day. Observed by the international community every year on December 10, the Human Rights Day commemorates the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We held an engaging activities and discussions on human rights topics affecting both the world and our local communities. Our special guest was Dr. Wendy Murawski, we also were honor the UNA-USA SFV founding member and rights activist, Ms. Marsha Hunt.
https://www.facebook.com/UnaUsaSanFernandoValleyChapter/
http://www.sfv.una-socal.org/index.html

Dr. Wendy Murawski is the Executive Director and Eisner Endowed Chair for the Center for Teaching and Learning at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she is also a full professor in the Department of Special Education and former Faculty President.

Dr. Murawski was recently awarded the 2016 Outstanding Faculty Member Award for CSUN.

She is the national Past President of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children and an internationally known speaker and author.

 She has published extensively, to include nine books and many articles. Dr. Murawski has won numerous awards for her teaching, research and publications, to include Teacher Educator of the Year in the state of California.

She has published in China’s Social Sciences Weekly, has a book translated into French, and has presented on co-teaching, creativity, and differentiation in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.

Dr. Murawski received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Riverside in Special Education and her Bachelors, Masters, and Educational Specialist degrees from the College of William and Mary.

Wendy is known for the high energy, humor, content, creativity, and personal experiences she brings to each of her presentations.

Kurdish Woman Seeking US Congress to Support Plight of Kurds from Sky

Kurdish Woman Seeking US Congress to Support Plight of Kurds from Sky

 

 Soraya Fallah

 12/10/2017 - 11:07

Reports

 

Kurds in every corner of the world supported an independence referendum held by the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on September 25th, 2017. The support was as varied and diverse as the Kurds. There were rallies, political actions, cultural festivals, celebrations, demonstrations, and numerous articles and opinion pieces. Kurds shouted their support for independence to the skies.

After Kurdistani people voted YES for their dream of self-governance, Dr Soraya Fallah, a researcher and a human rights activist, decided to show her support and enthusiasm by Skydiving 13,000 ft above the ocean in California, United States. She wanted the world to know that self-determination is a right and the referendum was held in accordance with international laws and regulations.

On the day of her jump, Dr. Fallah carried the message: “I am an American Citizen and I call on my Congress, the United States Congress, to support the vote of the people of Kurdistan to form an independent state. I ask you to support the "Yes" vote of Kurdistan.”

Dr. Fallah said that she believes the United States Congress should support the 93 percent of people in the Kurdish region of Iraq who voted for their future. She hopes that more members of Congress will follow Congressman Trent Franks’s resolution. The representative of Arizona has sent his bill to Congress and urged other delegates to support his bill.

Dr. Fallah did this grand activity in part to raise awareness on an issue that receives little international attention. She states that many in her American community are simply unaware of the plight of the Kurds. She points out that in the West there is a great deal of talk on democracy building in the Middle East. The Kurdish referendum is an example of a struggling nation democratically working towards determining their own fate. Such movements need to be supported and celebrated.

On the first day of October, 2017, in Lompoc Valley California, near the city of Santa Barbara, California, while wearing and carrying the Kurdish flag, Dr Fallah flew 13,000 ft. with the help of her instructor Mr. Casey. He supported her cause by filming and interviewing her in the process.

Following the decision of the central Iraqi government to impose an air embargo and close the Kurdistan capital's airport, as well as Kurdistan’s neighboring countries halting commercial exchanges with Kurdistan, Dr. Fallah symbolically picked an airport to raise the Kurdish flag. She believes that someday, not too far in the future, the Kurdish flag will be raised in airports around the world.

Dr. Fallah hopes to organize a Skydiving event in the near future with other members of her community to hopefully gain the attention of media and reach her representatives.

Media

Women and Kurdistan Referendum

More Than 50 US Political Activist & Academics Women Support The Kurdistan Independence Referendum

vokradio, Los Angeles, California, USA

More than 50 US political activists and academics who signed a statement supporting the Kurdistan independence referendum as a democratic process, valid under international law September 23, 2017 Los Angeles, The following is the full text of their statement:  Statement of support  for the right to hold a referendum in the Kurdistan region in Iraq on Sep 25th To all people who may be concerned with conflict resolution in the Middle East, concerned about the rights of all people to self-determination, and/or who would simply like to learn more about why this referendum is being held. We ask our representatives to support Kurdistan referendum. We, women who are in one way or another originated from or related to the world's largest nation without a country, the Kurds, in this crucial moment of history, stand by the Kurdistan Regional Government's decision to hold a referendum in Kurdistan of Iraq.    1) The referendum is a democratic process in which Kurdistani citizens are able to directly vote and decide on an important political matter: self-determination and independence. 2) The referendum is consistent with principles embodied in the United States Congressional Record (1918), where every civilized nation has the unquestionable right to exercise full powers of internal self-government. 3) The referendum is legal based on international law. The ratification of the United Nations Charter in 1945 at the end of World War II placed the right of self-determination into the framework of international law and diplomacy. 4) While we are deeply excited by the Kurdistani people's decision and the possibility of getting the right of independence in a legitimate referendum, we understand that a declaration of independence might not result from this vote. 5) This referendum is not only for Kurds, it is also for all Kurdistani people of various ethnicities and religious affiliations who are living in the region under the Kurdistan Regional Government. 6) The legacy of colonialism in the Middle East and the decision to deny Kurds' self- determination that came about as a result of the Sykes-Picot Agreement )1916) must come to an end. 7) We condemn all threats from neighboring countries who have oppressed Kurds throughout history. We urge them to not interfere with this democratic process. 8) We believe that supporting such a cause is supporting human dignity, people's right to vote, people's right to decide for their own future, and people's rights to rescue their future generations from oppression. We strongly ask everyone to support this cause Dr. Soraya Fallah, researcher; Traci Fahimi, Dean of SBC & Academic Programs; Chinar Binavi, President of Kurdish community center of CA; Soraya Mofty, Activist & Linguist; Leslie Ladd, fashion designer; Cklara Moradian, CSUN graduate student; Roya Nahid, businesswomen; Rojan Fayz, vocalist &activist ; Hanna Jaff, Philanthropist; Zhala Tawfiq, scientist ; Suzan Ahmed , Educator; MarmarStwart ,activist &Author; Azar Ghobadi , vocalist ,song writer; Mahboobeh Hossianinia, political activist; Nawaz Khasraw, Engineer; Ghomri Rostampour, public school educator; Farnaz Bahrami, event planner; Shaida Sharikandi, businesswoman; Hiro Salar, college student; SiloveBarvari,Publicist; FroozanKhoramian, Student; FawzeahAziz;Amina Abdullah; SafiyaDosky; LaekaSaddula; SabriaDosky; Kadria Sindi; Helen Sindi; Najeeba Shali; Bayan Sindi; MahdiaSindi; Nazdar Dosky; Rezan Dosky; Nazdar Qasab; Chiman Sindi; Bayan Merani; Nazdar Sharif; Fawzia Chalabi; Seeber Barwari, GalavejBarwari, Lana Dizay,Helaleh Sharikandi, Ava Aflak, Suzanne Darweesh, Nashmin Behrouzi,Parwaz Khasraw, Jwane Khasraw, Dr. Aida Ali Akreyi, researcher; and... Names are not limited to the above list. http://www.vokradio.com/content/view/2046/1/ **************************************   Voice of Kurdish-American Radio for Democracy, Peace, and Freedom  Welcome To Vokradio.Com

بستن این پنجره

Rudaw interview Soraya Fallah about Kurdistan Referendum

Women foresee more influence shaping independent Kurdistan than Iraq

Rudaw 

By Rudaw 24/9/2017

A woman waves the Kurdistan flag at Erbil’s colour festival earlier this month. Photo: Sartip Othman/Rudaw

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Acknowledging many concerns with respect to women’s rights and their lack of participation in public life in Kurdistan, women expect to have more influence shaping an independent Kurdistan nation than they would have remaining in Iraq. 

“I know there is a lot of enthusiasm and appetite to partake in nation building amongst women,” said Soraya Fallah, a US-based researcher, via email. 

“There is a long history of civil engagement and we can continue to build on that. Unfortunately, women in other parts of Iraq have not been able to break as many barriers.”

Fallah is one of over 40 Kurdish women who signed a statement supporting the Kurdistan independence referendum as a democratic process, valid under international law.

“We believe that supporting such a cause is supporting human dignity, people’s right to vote, people’s right to decide for their own future, and people’s rights to rescue their future generations from oppression,” read the statement from the women who come from all walks of life: politics, business, arts, education, and grass roots movements. The full text of their statement is below.

These women offer enormous potential for the Kurdistan nation in the midst of state-building and they are demanding their voices be heard. 

Kurdish women gained world renown as all-female brigades within the Peshmerga and other forces fought ISIS. Strong Kurdish women have dedicated their lives as fighters, activists, journalists, educators, and politicians, but they are still under-represented in key decision-making roles in government. 

There is a lot of work to be done, argued Fallah, “because whether we like to admit it or not, the government, the system, and the culture is patriarchal.”

In the war against ISIS, with Yezidi women a direct target of the group’s brutality, women’s rights in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region came under the microscope and into public discussion more than ever before. A positive result of this has been an increase in women’s movements with support from a myriad of international organizations. 

As Kurdistan stands on the brink of independence, now is the best time to harness those resources and the energy of half the population, Fallah stated. 

“We have to ask ourselves what kind of nation do we want to be?” she asked. “Independence needs to be based on democracy and the guaranteed rights of all citizens.”

She warned against focusing on the nation first and then addressing gender equality later, saying such a mentality has historically been a mistake. “Women’s issues need to be addressed simultaneously because free women can help build a nation alongside their male peers.”

Women have unfortunately been visibly lacking thus far with respect to the referendum. Fallah points out that the negotiations, meetings, and decisions have been male-driven. She thinks it likely many women are working behind the scenes or contributing to discussions and preparations, “but they are not given the space and platform to take part in key decision-making.”

Increased participation of women in politics “shoulder to shoulder with our men” not only empowers the individual women, it “empowers our nation as a whole,” said Fallah. 


Full text of the statement from Kurdish women on the referendum:

Statement of support for the right to hold a referendum in the Kurdistan region in Iraq on Sep 25th

To all people who may be concerned with conflict resolution in the Middle East, concerned about the rights of all people to self-determination, and/or who would simply like to learn more about why this  referendum is being held.

We ask our representatives to support Kurdistan referendum. We, women who are in one way or another originated from or related to the world’s largest nation without a country, the Kurds, in this crucial moment of history, stand by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s decision to hold a referendum in Kurdistan of Iraq. 

1) The referendum is a democratic process in which Kurdistani citizens are able to directly vote and decide on an important political matter: self-determination and independence.

2) The referendum is consistent with principles embodied in the United States Congressional Record (1918), where every civilized nation has the unquestionable right to exercise full powers of internal self-government.

3) The referendum is legal based on international law. The ratification of the United Nations Charter in 1945 at the end of World War II placed the right of self-determination into the framework of international law and diplomacy.

4) While we are deeply excited by the Kurdistani people’s decision and the possibility of getting the right of independence in a legitimate referendum, we understand that a declaration of independence might not result from this vote.

5) This referendum is not only for Kurds, it is also for all Kurdistani people of various ethnicities and religious affiliations who are living in the region under the Kurdistan Regional Government.

6) The legacy of colonialism in the Middle East and the decision to deny Kurds’ self- determination that came about as a result of the Sykes-Picot Agreement )1916) must come to an end.

7) We condemn all threats from neighboring countries who have oppressed Kurds throughout history. We urge them to not interfere with this democratic process.

8) We believe that supporting such a cause is supporting human dignity, people’s right to vote, people’s right to decide for their own future, and people’s rights to rescue their future generations from oppression.

We strongly ask everyone to support this cause.

Dr. Soraya Fallah, researcher; Traci Fahimi, Dean of SBC& Academic Programs; Chinar Binavi, President of Kurdish community center of CA; Soraya Mofty, Activist & Linguist; Leslie Ladd, fashion designer; Cklara Moradian, CSUN graduate student; Roya Nahid,  businesswomen; Rojan Fayaz, vocalist &activist ; Hanna Jaff, Philanthropist; Zhala Tawfiq, scientist ; Suzan Ahmed , Educator; MarmarStwart ,activist &Author; Azar Ghobadi , vocalist ,song writer; Mahboobeh Hossianinia, political activist; Nawaz  Khasraw, Engineer; Ghomri Rostampour, public school educator; Farnaz Bahrami, event planner; Shaida Sharikandi, businesswoman; Hiro Salar, college student; SiloveBarvari,Publicist; FroozanKhoramian, Student; FawzeahAziz;Amina Abdullah; SafiyaDosky; LaekaSaddula; SabriaDosky; Kadria Sindi; Helen Sindi; Najeeba Shali; Bayan Sindi; MahdiaSindi; Nazdar Dosky; Rezan Dosky; Nazdar Qasab; Chiman Sindi; Bayan Merani; Nazdar Sharif; Fawzia Chalabi; Seeber Barwari, GalavejBarwari, Lana Dizay,Helaleh Sharikandi, Dr. Aida Ali Akreyi.

http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/240920178

Names are not limited to the above list.

Please participate : Short version of my Survey for study about "Families of Children with Special Needs"

		Families of Children with Special Needs Survey
	Greeting, I hope you are well. In this critical period of our history, participation in an educational research is a best way to prompt social justice. I am writing you because we in CSUN are studying parents and relatives of students with Special Needs and family origin from Middle East, North Africa, and Southwest Asia (MENASWA) specifically those MENASWA families who have experienced the US special education system. We have an anonymous online survey that we are trying to get out to all families of MENASWA decent. Obviously, I thought that the families in your community and schools would be perfect to particiapte.  Please let families know that we don’t need any identifiable information about them and the survey is COMPLETLY anonymous they might accept it. Thank you in advance Soraya Fallah ELPS doctoral candidate, CSUN Click the button below to start the survey. Thank you for your participation!
	Begin Survey
	Please do not forward this email as its survey link is unique to you. Unsubscribe from this list
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