Gender Apartheid and the Future of Iran: A Conversation with Alinejad and Mohammed (Episode

In today’s housekeeping, Sam explains his digital business model. He and Yasmine Mohammed (co-host) then speak with Masih Alinejad about gender apartheid in Iran. They discuss the Iranian revolution, the hypocrisy of Western feminists, the morality police and the significance of the hijab, the My Stealthy Freedom campaign, kidnapping and assassination plots against Masih, lack of action from the U.S. government, the effect of sanctions, the cowardice of Western journalists, the difference between the Iranian population and the Arab street, the unique perspective of Persian Jews, Islamism and immigration, the infiltration of universities, and other topics.
Yasmine Mohammed is the founder and president of Free Hearts Free Minds, a nonprofit charity that provides mental health support for freethinkers living in Muslim-majority countries-where the 'crime' of renouncing religion can be punished by execution.
Her book, Unveiled, is a memoir that recalls her experiences growing up in a fundamentalist Islamic household and her arranged marriage to a member of Al-Qaeda. In it, she sheds light on the religious trauma that so many women are still unable to discuss. Unveiled has been translated into fifteen languages so far, including German, Finnish, Catalan, Swedish, French, Farsi, Arabic, Indonesian, Urdu, Spanish, and Italian. Copies of her book in Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and Indonesian can be accessed here for free, courtesy of The Richard Dawkins Foundation.
She is also the host of the Yasmine Mohammed Podcast, where she has conversations with inspirational people from restrictive religious or cult backgrounds who have fought and overcome.
Website: www.yasminemohammed.com
Twitter: @yasmohammedxx
Masih Alinejad is an Iranian-American journalist, a women’s rights campaigner, and the author of the best-selling memoir The Wind in My Hair. In 2023, TIME named Alinejad one of the Women of the Year, and she was elected President of the World Liberty Congress. She is one of the most prominent and vocal figures challenging the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2014, she launched the My Stealthy Freedom campaign against compulsory hijab, which became the largest civil disobedience movement in the history of the Islamic Republic. Today, Masih continues to write and host Tablet, a satirical weekly show on VOA, and is campaigning to #EndGenderApartheid in Iran and Afghanistan.
Website: worldlibertyco...
Twitter: @AlinejadMasih
June 6, 2024
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For more information about Sam Harris: www.samharris.org

[@237sv]

As an Iranian American, I cannot thank you enough for this. This message needs to spread far and wide 1.) to bring regime change to Iran and 2.) hopefully also help bring reform and secular growth to the Muslim world before it destroys itself or worse. Here’s hoping revolution in Iran can help lead that charge. But it only happens if ideas like these spread and become zeitgeist, so THANK YOU SAM

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Not at all. Israel has to fall, and Iran will always remain the regional hegemon. Internal politics of Iran are nobody else's business. It's Israel that is trying to destroy Iran through this absurd propaganda. And you fall for it.

[@NikoBased]

It seems like "or worse" is probably the movie that plays out. Secularism isn't the solution people seem to think it is. It sure seems like a good idea when dealing with radicalized groups. However, I'm not convinced secularism is any less dangerous than Islam in the grand scheme of things. The Pascal "god shaped hole in everyone's heart" quote comes to mind. Secular societies create their own gods and their own idols, many of which seem to be disordered and bad for human flourishing. One cannot blame the Iranians for not wanting to live like western secular liberals. Half of America don't even want to live like western secular liberals, so I'm not so sure you're going to convince the Iranians or the Palestinians. Which means these people are probably going to fight for their values all the way to the end.

[@237sv]

Secularism at its core is just separation of church and state/ mosque and state. Theocracies are fundamentally incompatible with peace, pluralism, free thought, liberalism or human rights. I have faith it’s only a matter of time the Muslim world goes through its own enlightenment period to derive these values and get out of the medieval era, and as Masih mentioned, there’s hope the Persian world may ironically be the center for that change because the foundation of Iranian identity- from our calendar to our core traditions- is nonreligious. Social progress takes time, but it starts with conversations like these.

[@ghosthunter0950]

@@237sv Most of the Iranians already have. they've just been stuck with a horrible regime and some population that supports it.

[@NikoBased]

​@@237sv Secularism at its core is not "separation of church and state". That's a secular government. Secularism involves institutions, laws/ethics, rights etc. Ethics/moral values being the big one here. Muslim scholars are currently watching the western "enlightenment" devour itself. It's different for you as an Iranian immigrant. You can juxtapose Iran and the current state of the west and find the bright side. That's saying more about Iran than it is the west.

[@spaceghost8891]

I am from Brazil. Its a bit expensive for me and thankfully I get it for free. Thank you Sam, you are a light in this dark world.

[@kerenlifrak]

These women are brave! I have been following all three of you closely. Thank you for your important work.

[@SharedPhilosophy]

As someone who was born in Iran and got to see the horrific consequences of radical Islam I sincerely thank you for making videos about radical Islamic beliefs and how they are a danger to our progressed civilization. Thank you Dr. Harris!

[@joegordon-p6x]

good you see how Evil Islam and its followers are

[@house684]

You should be ashamed of yourself.

[@SharedPhilosophy]

@@house684 uhh care to elaborate?

[@PhenomenalWorld]

Wow, Masih is such a brave and intelligent human! What a POWERFUL portrait of life in Iran and the politics of fear and self-preservation (along with sheer ignorance) that keep democratic powers from taking a true stand. Thank you for the podcast!

[@marjan5666]

As an Iranian woman, thank you Sam so much for this episode! I just want to add: In Iran we not only face gender aparthied, there are political and religious aparthied too. And I'd like to praise the men in Iran who stood with Iranian women.

[@house684]

I don't see Apartheid Iran mass murdering Iranian women. Shame on you, Marjan.

[@marjan5666]

@@house684 If you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In fact, it seems that you either ignore facts or you don't want to see. Look at what happened during these years. Not only a lot of Iranian women but also men were killed. There is obvious and systematic discrimination in Iran and if you are denying it, well, maybe you are part of the system or you are just supporting them.

[@shireenmcquade1951]

Sam, I’d gladly pay for any subscription you offer. Your integrity, honesty, generosity of spirit touch me deeply. You are a man of honor. I trust you. And I learn so much from you on a variety of subjects. Your ability to state the issue and facts clearly, present the counter argument, and dismantle the counter argument piece by piece, is as much an art as it is an algebraic equation. Happy to pay for any of your subscriptions on any format.

[@KatarinaDinnar]

About time. We have to talk about Iran more. Also, more Iranians have to be heard.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Iran is going to end Israel, even if the country elects a Democracy. Israel cannot continue. This is a separate issue to Iranian domestic policies which are not your business.

[@Carvaka]

Ciaronsmith, who's replying about Iran to every other comment, doesn't want you to say a word about that country cuz it's apparently only their right to discuss whether Iran's current regime is problematic.

[@giltuito1545]

Israel has Hydrogen bombs. I dont know if your tiny brain can grasp that the moment Israel's very existence is on the line - half the middle east will literally burn and be inhabitable for milenia. ​@@ciaronsmith4995

[@Grandestplateau]

@@ciaronsmith4995 we Iranians have a proud history with Israel, I can understand that’s hard for a Catholic to swallow

[@ciaronsmith4995]

@@Grandestplateau Iran has no history with Israel. Iran has a history with its own Jewish population, not militant Zionists that want to see Iran burn.

[@nineteenninetyfive]

These women are modern day heroes. They are so brave to stand up for their country against the regime in Iran.

[@theotherview1716]

😂😂😂 women are happier in America? 👌

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Israel is going to fall whatever Iran's governments. Iranians understand how conquest works. Even a democratic Iran is going to be anti Israel. Bet.

[@justathumb]

absolutely awe-inspiring

[@ciaronsmith4995]

They don't need your help and you should mind your own business.

[@Carvaka]

@@theotherview1716 not even a contest.

[@idme8295]

Thank you for your work Sam (including your business model) and thank you to these brave women, who are trying to make this a better world for ALL of our daughters.

[@Bat_Boy]

THANK YOU SAM!

[@ljimz7130]

I was a senior in a private Christian high school (in So Cal) in 1979. That year we had about 10 Christian Iranians that were fleeing from the revolution enroll. They were amazing people. Because of them I have a soft spot in my heart for the Persian people. Amazing, strong and loving people. ❤

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Explain the 150,000 Armenian Iranian Christians who live in Iran. Explain Vank Cathedral and enormous Christmas celebrations that happen every year across Iran You can't. Stop making up nonsense.

[@amirrazzaghi2882]

⁠@@ciaronsmith4995 dude living in Iran doesn’t mean they aren’t oppressed ! My family lives there and they’re oppressed ! Come outta your bubble ! Islamic regime and Islamic (anti culture ) traditions will be in power only by force we don’t want nor like it !

[@twntwrs]

​@@ciaronsmith4995also the 25,000 Jews with a representative in the Iran parliament.

[@jraelien5798]

@@ciaronsmith4995 Wait. What nonsense?

[@jraelien5798]

@@twntwrs Do YOU want to be one of them? No. You don't. So shut up.

[@Yasmana1475]

Masih is a game changer. When she started Stealthy Freedom campaign, I felt like that moment for us Iranian women, has finally arrived

[@Sam-ii3qy]

Thank you so much for this, Alinejad, Yasmine, and Sam! Please May your messages get out into the world and be that beacon of light, truth, and clarity 🕊️

[@toughluv873]

Im intellectually in love with this Iranian female speaker. She actually IS stunning and brave for realsies.

[@evanraasch2203]

Nono, being fat and loving it is stunning and brave

[@radhikaschwartz3499]

Christina Amanpour refused to wear a hijab when interviewing a hi Iranian official so the interview was canceled.

[@laulaja-7186]

Oriana Fallaci similarly?

[@avrilgriswold6088]

Yes Sam! You’re the person for this job for the gender apartheid. Enlightening show. My heart goes out to these courageous women.

[@kegawinek7628]

When Yasmine mentioned that Masih had such a glorious mane, I had to Google her, and frankly, covering such beautiful hair is the real sin. I thoroughly enjoyed these two guests and getting their first hand testimony. Masih is the canary in the radical mine warning us of the toxic air. Why do so many choose to disregard the stench of intolerance?

[@1984isnotamanual]

Because they are cowards that dont want to look the truth in the face

[@anneoconnor5907]

It is so frustrating that Westernn women of the 'left' cannot see what is painfully obvious. Yasmine and Masih are heroes of mine. Thank you both so much for your courage in the face of evil regimes and Western stupidity and cowardice. More power to your elbows!

[@everythingandmore5537]

The U.S. intervention in Iran, particularly through the 1953 coup, played a critical role in derailing the country's path toward democracy. By overthrowing a democratically elected leader and supporting an authoritarian regime, the U.S. contributed to a political environment that suppressed democratic development and led to long-term instability and authoritarian rule.

[@mel1v]

Sam, the world needs this. Thank you.

[@rustyosgood5667]

I work with many Iranians here in Silicon Valley and every single one of them is awesome! Such a beautiful country and such a beautiful population. I hope that one day there is an "Iranian Spring" and I know the US will support them!!

[@maltija1]

Hmm...As America supported the Afghans, the Ukrainians and the Israelis? I'm afraid America has lost its track record in recent years.

[@maltija1]

I doubt it, seeing the recent track record.

[@rustyosgood5667]

@@maltija1 Several points were made... You doubt what exactly?

[@LizaTacher]

Thank you Sam for all you do. This episode, like all, excellent

[@DaveKesler]

Just brilliant Sam. Another great PSA

[@JavaT6437]

Thanks Sam for this episode, Love from Iran

[@ferriveiro3101]

Sam Harris, Yasmine Mohammed, Masih Alinejad; the heroes of our time! Thank you so much Sam for your tireless work to bring Islam under scrutiny. We desperately need more and more people to recognize the inherent evils of Islam so we can fight it.

[@T1000-s6l]

Thank you all. Freedom for all women and girls who are suffering under this form of repression. It wasn't until I saw Realtime with Bill Maher and he did a bit on this that it really had an impact on me. I had the privilege of working with some women from Iran who called themselves Persians, and that sounds amazing. They were free, did not wear coverings and were so alive, honestly some of the most amazing singers at the Christmas parties. It saddens me to think that so many women and girls don't have the freedom to choose who they will become and reach their full potential. Now, even saying this in my country an apparently free western democracy, I couldn't not oppose this and all it's evil without being made a criminal. The experience your contributers shared was heartbreaking, I like to try and be a humanist, but in this case I don't think religions should ever be compulsory, like alcohol or sex it's something that you should only be able to partake in when you have had a certain amount of time to mature and make an informed choice about. The things that are done in the name of god's in this world make me sick. I hope you take this as a cause Sam, can you image a world where every woman and girl has access to education, the freedom to choose what happens to her body and what she believes or doesn't believe in, where they have the same rights as men and the freedom to choose who they love or marry. That's the world I want to live in. I'm not a woman, I'm just a simple inconsequential man who's opinions don't matter. But, if asked I will state that we cannot call ourselves enlighten when a good portion of the women of this world don't get the same opportunities as the rest.

[@DaniJo191]

You are extremely generous Mr. Harris. I want to support your work financially; you are a trusted source of information, and that is rare. Thank you!

[@samdg1234]

United Nations = United Dictators That was good.

[@hamidhamidi3134]

UN is openly justifying the Taliban gender apartheid and working with them. Not a single resolution condemning it.

[@ehyeh365]

Much gratitude to Sam Harris for your support and so much love and admiration to these two amazing sisters!!!

[@sandp9853]

Sam is a true voice of clarity in the madness. Also, I get the podcast and the meditation app for free and I'm very grateful for it. My mind and my wallet thanks you Sam!

[@sunnyinvladivostok]

It's heart-wrenching what women in this world go through. But even more amazing that many people, instead of waiting for the world to burn itself to the ground, have hope for something better and try to make change.

[@fritznovak4482]

The story of Iran since 1979 is of the most tragic stories a country has been through. An ancient civilisation, with thousands of years of rich cultural heritage, completely destroyed by the machinations of a small group of religious zealots who not only hold their people hostage, but the entire world. Would love to see a democratic, secular Iran one day, that is worthy of the Iranian people.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

Whatever Iran's government, the new generation is also viciously ambitious in Iran. Even with a democracy, Iranians want Israel gone. Cope with it. Persian hegemony will not be stifled by Israel. Ever.

[@fritznovak4482]

@@ciaronsmith4995 once you get rid of the theocracy in Iran, they won’t feel so hostile to Israel, because the hostility towards Israel is motivated by Islam, and the far left that sympathises with the regime. I have met many Iranians in the west who oppose the regime, and all of them are not anti Israel. There is no history of widespread hostility towards Israel in Iran before the 1979 revolution. They had positive diplomatic relations before 1979.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

@@fritznovak4482 Wrong. It's motivated by the fact Israel is extremely unethical and trying to kill Iranian citizens and annex territory. Iranians do not like Israel. Cope.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

@@fritznovak4482 You obviously have NEVER been to Iran.

[@fritznovak4482]

@@ciaronsmith4995 I have never been to North Korea either, but like I said, the Iranians I’ve met in the west do not hate Israel. But even within Iran, those who genuinely hate Israel, do it because of their religion. Once you break the mosque, you break the hatred for the one Jewish state, who in their view occupies “Al-Quds”

[@Nailbunny2702]

What an amazing & informative conversation. Thanks, Sam for bringing these women together at one time. I love all three of you. I dream of a free Iran. I would love to visit it.

[@Nookends]

Thank you for your courage.

[@MD-bu3xc]

It was so good to hear one of the greatest minds of the last and this century Noam Chomsky say "I don't bother with Sam Harris." The great man said it as if he was flicking a pesky fly off his shoulder.

[@Giantcrabz]

Chomsky is an intellectual titan. Harris is a warmongering hack "philosopher" who doesn't even understand Hume's Guillotine...

[@jarthur5094]

In awe of their courage real courage

[@PTarahb]

❤ been with ya since the first episode of the podcast back when it was "Waking Up." While "Making Sense" is just as fitting a name, you (& Hitch too; RIP the goat) played a major role in helping me wake up. Been billed as a paid member since you made that an option & I'll sub on substack too. Keep doing your thing, Sam.

[@noprob4me]

Amazing women. I'm in awesome of their bravery.

[@karandeosingh2356]

Thank you Sam and god bless this woman.

[@steveeuphrates-river7342]

Decades ago, I had a very negative view of Iran and the Iranian people in general. Luckily a coworker (who was European) invited me to his house for a party. His wife was Iranian. Her family was wonderful and the food was great. Just a little information and experience totally changed my perspective.

[@Benlocsei]

The world makes sense again.

[@PlumpClump]

Every time Sam has a talk with women I feel is paradigm shifting. The fact that these women are loud and talk about the life and politics of their country, representing the regular person from there is amazing! Good luck ladies!

[@NicholasWilliams-uk9xu]

They are so smart and know what's up.

[@dj_laundry_list]

Sam is doing amazing work here

[@ciaronsmith4995]

He's a propagandist.

[@Carvaka]

@@ciaronsmith4995 nope.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

@@Carvaka Yup.

[@Carvaka]

@@ciaronsmith4995 “yup” you’re a propagandist for Iran’s current, misogynistic regime.

[@Carvaka]

@@ciaronsmith4995 “yup” ~ says the propagandist for Iran’s current regime.

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

Oh, man. It would be such an honor and privilege to be commissioned as a writer by Sam.

[@ciaronsmith4995]

No.

[@Carvaka]

@@ciaronsmith4995 yeah, it would be.

[@jmc5335]

​@@CarvakaWhy?

[@Carvaka]

@@jmc5335 I think that for a fan of Sam Harris (like me), it would be invigorating to have the freedom to research and publish writing about the world on topics that you find particularly important while being commissioned by a person who’s voice has impacted you.

[@jmc5335]

@@Carvaka What would write about?

[@stephenholmgren405]

These subjects hit harder because I am watching Homeland (the TV drama) It's crazy that our reality of Islam is even crazier than fiction.

[@YaelGD]

I don’t know if you are aware, and it’s chilling to think about the name in Hebrew, but it is based on an Israeli TV show: Homeland (stylized as HOMƎLAND) is an American espionage thriller television series developed by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War (Hebrew: חטופים, romanized: Hatufim, literally "Abductees") which was created by Gideon Raff,[1][2] who serves as an executive producer on Homeland.

[@Hi-to-ri]

Thank you so much for this Sam❤مسیح عزیزم خیلی دوستت دارم

[@Kate-rv6kx]

I am one of the people who subscribed to Walking Up for free. After some trauma I was unable to Meditate like I used to. Sam Harris' meditation course changed that. If I had to pay, I wouldn't have been able to access it. I don't agree with everything Sam Harris says, but his business model gives me hope for humanity, and I am eternally grateful, not just for the meditation app, but for an experience of kindness and generosity in a world that feels like everyone is used as a commodity.

[@toby9999]

Haven't listened yet, but I suspect this will be a good one. Thank you for making the full podcast available.

[@cath.lamontagne5357]

❤The first woman's rights advocate to die for this cause was an Iranian woman. She declared , on the day she was strangled by order of the mullahs, "you can kill me as soon as you wish, you cannot stop the emancipation of women!" When did this happen ? In 1852. Where? In Teheran. Who was she? Tahirih. An erudite and beautiful woman, she knew the Coran by heart and was a fearless proponent of the Babi faith. She divorced her husband when he did not support her in her beliefs. She was a well known poetess, a reformer, and a performance artist even before this art-form was recognized. Four years before her death, she had appeared ❤ adorned and without veil in front of an assemblage of fervent Islamic scholars, students and reformers stating these fiery words: " I am the Word which the Qá'im is to utter, the Word which shall put to flight the chiefs and the nobles of the earth. " Later , after she was condemned by the Mullahs and called back to her home-town for her supposedly " heretical " views. She turned back to return home -slowly in a howda. Proclaiming the message of The Bab all the way, challenging the Mullahs to debate her as she crossed the country; few accepted her challenge. Tahirih's declaration happened the same year that the women of America launched the women's suffrage mouvement in Seneca falls (1848). I was 19 in 1979, and could not believe that the "Islamic Revolution" could last long. I am in my sixties, and am finally seing it crumble; it has lasted much longer than I thought possible. But I believe Tahirih was right: the emancipation of women cannot be stopped.🎉

[@ElTubeo1515]

Thanks for making this free to the public. It's worth getting this one out to everyone.

[@R2d2..]

Very important Thank you 🙏

[@jaggerlags]

Wow, such an informative and important conversation- thank you. 👍

[@bracero7628]

I had the most bizarre reaction to this. I spontaneously burst into tears at the end of it, which is not like me at all. I truly hope we will live to see women in Iran and all over the Islamic world free to express themselves without fear of retaliatory violence, from their own government or anyone else. We should never take these rights for granted-they are absolutely precious.

[@jblo76]

Sam is doing an incredible service by bringing more light to this issue. Such a needed voice in media and journalism right now. As an old-school liberal I really wish this kind of content would get out to the far left progressives and misguided kids across college campuses so they can understand what’s really going on from women who have been in Iran and Arab countries on the front lines of this kind of gender abuse. Only then will those progressives realize the hypocrisy in their protests and who they’re standing for.

[@mdl9224]

Beautiful souls. Brilliant minds

[@Veegan4theanimals]

That was a great interview. Thank you.

[@brek5]

Sorry, I couldn't help laugh in sadness (with actual tears) at, "My fear of radical Islam and the Taliban is rational." The laughter is at the absurdity of the situation, and the tears are for the seriousness of the situation. This is an important message for people in the West to hear.

[@Mina_Nav]

Thank you, Sam! I’ve been waiting for this!

[@MGMarkov]

Sam, please make those podcasts with a camera, this should not be hard, but will make them much much more engaging.

[@hamidhamidi3134]

Can you please speak about the worst apartheid today ? I mean, the gender apartheid in Afghanistan where 20 million women can't study or work nobody seems to care. Thank you, Masih, for mentioning the suffering of 20 million women in Afghanistan.

[@Giantcrabz]

Wow what happened to make Afghanistan so unstable? Truly a mystery

[@gking407]

We must support anti-fascists in every country, at every level, forever.

[@Giantcrabz]

Sam hates antifa and BLM, sorry

[@kabir1365]

I've been waiting for you to have Masih on your podcast for a long time. Thanks for this conversation. I think #WomanLifeFreedom in Iran will have a ripple effect throughout Middle East and be the beginning of the end for life under Islamic theocracy.

[@patscorneroftheuniverse]

Masih is a true hero and your post is spot on.

[@Agtsmirnoff]

20 customer service reps Damn didn’t know Sam had so much following. Pretty cool.

[@ricardoalmeida4719]

I think before he left Patreon he was their top earner, or at least one of them. And that was years ago.

[@jmc5335]

Pretty hypocritical business model

[@deanedgx]

Fantastic podcast. Well done to all of you and great to hear Sam will be funding some decent journalism on the subject.

[@nezel1060]

Awesome episode Sam.

[@waresiscool]

I couldn't even finish this since its so sad

[@Behruz-vu1wj]

Thank you for giving Iranians a voice ❤🙏🏼

[@novacancy7253]

One of the most important informative on the current free Iranian women’s movement episode!

[@chrisosborne7945]

I needed the help. Thanks again Sam❤

[@shireenmcquade1951]

Thank you, Sam, for this excellent interview. Masih is doing excellent work to help Muslim women rise out of the bottom of the barrel where they are relegated by islamists. I appreciate your amplification of her voice. I think Masih would benefit tremendously from being presented with a variety of options to address how best to achieve her goals in America. That is where you can do the most good. You are both creative and methodical. And you understand our system. She is new to America and will use methods she’s heard about that may not be the most effective. I’ve been here over 50 years and worked as a federal government attorney for 37 years. I still would not know the best approach to shed light on changing society’s beliefs. You will have a much better idea of how to do that. Thank you for supporting my courageous sisters. Masih and Yasmine are women of courage and integrity.

[@peterfazio9306]

I think people just reflexively don't want to be asked to pay more for anything, even if you're offering something different. I've taken advantage of Sam's offer twice on Making Sense as I'm a coparenting dad, and sometimes money is tight. I'm currently a paying subscriber, but I really did enjoy being able to access all the content before. Thank you for that.

[@doug3691]

Thank you, Sam, and ladies. This is an important conversation.

[@bokchoiman]

Atheist Republic channel just a live interview with Hossein Alizadeh titled "The Global Threat of an Islamic Ummah 😮An Academic Study". There they delve into the origins of political Islam in Iran, how Ali Khamenei was able to rise to power, and differences between Sunni and Shia schools of thought among other things. It's an interesting back and forth narrative-fleshing conversation.

[@GoogleyGreg-k1q]

This one was well worth making public, thanks for that.

[@maxschultz3956]

Thanks Sam ! So Refreshing to hear the truth from these guests !

[@genxray]

We all need to use the term FEMALE APARTHEID -- not gender. This is about GIRLS, and the biological fact that females are vulnerable to men, and as we know that fem males are vulnerable to male aggression. BUT this needs to be focused on FEMALES now and we need to be clear about the terms in the way the discussions about race and intersectionality were not. We cannot be elusive or use terminology that allows the gender fetish and the objectified femininity to obscurity that has been loaded onto the term GENDER, actually we should REFAIN from every using the word Gender as it is now meaningless. And in this battle for women, MEN need to be united with women in the language we use to combat the Lillite feminist ideology of intersectionality, Which now actually POSITIONALITY. We- as sex realists, as atheists, and as free thinkers need to speak clearly and in unity of terms as our "Positionality" against the absurd.

[@Alnivol666]

It is a gender apartheid in that men and women are governed by different rules. Females are vulnerable to male aggression? What does this even mean exactly? "We- as sex realists, as atheists, and as free thinkers need to speak clearly and in unity of terms as our "Positionality" against the absurd." - this is delusional. Most atheists and so-called free thinkers agree with the feminist ideology. In fact, they are a big part of the movement to push this ideology in society.

[@ヨママ]

Great episode, Sam. Thank you.

[@JhgffjPoubelle]

Thanks for the talk.

[@ahmetdogan5685]

Sam ROCKS!

[@everythingandmore5537]

The U.S. intervention in Iran, particularly through the 1953 coup, played a critical role in derailing the country's path toward democracy. By overthrowing a democratically elected leader and supporting an authoritarian regime, the U.S. contributed to a political environment that suppressed democratic development and led to long-term instability and authoritarian rule.

[@bigol7169]

Sam will concede the conflicting interests of universities funded by Qatar, but will deny that governments, media and drug regulators are funded by pharmaceutical companies

[@Imthrashsfu]

I grow tired of people using the term "Left" too generally in criticism when in fact it encompasses an extremely wide group of people. I am firmly on the left and I do not support fundamentalist Islam.

[@Giantcrabz]

They know that. Sam is a variation on the converted-atheist grift: the disillusioned "liberal" who is forced to be a colossal bigot by muh woke left

[@scotchbarrel4429]

Thanks for all you do mate 👊😎

[@taliplatt5783]

We Israelis and the Iranian people are on the same side - it's good against evil

[@Giantcrabz]

You sound like George W Bush

[@bracero7628]

Who is the man teaching at harvard she's referring to? I couldn't find him.

[@User53123]

I thought she said Princeton?

[@naturalisted1714]

If you write a book on Substack, will there also be a physical version available, for those of us who prefer holding a book?

[@mattcat83]

An absence of American leadership is something I'm hearing on multiple fronts, whether it's Iran, Israel, Ukraine, or Taiwan. The common denominator here is Biden and his complete failure as a leader. US voters need to think more internationally about the consequences of their election for POTUS.

[@MrMalmir]

Trump is Putin's man

[@mojgan00]

Sam please interview a member of NUFDi National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI ) , a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing the Iranian-American community capable of dissecting the ME geopolitical situation or Reza Pahlavi one of leaders of Iran’s opposition 🙏🏼

[@MrMalmir]

So they want US regime export democracy to Iran like Iraq and Afghanistan? What a devil foundation

[@pancaked7777777]

Sam, Yasmin and Masih doing the lord's work once again

[@Giantcrabz]

which Lord? Shiva?

[@pancaked7777777]

@@Giantcrabz lol all of the above

[@mysterymiss9793]

Hey Sam, i am so happy to see you are doing this espisod and focusing on Iranian women's situations. The hypocrisy of western feminists is discussting.

[@ronamain8689]

I object to this hijab wearing. Have done for over a decade. It's an obvious sign of oppression. Now,places like Berlin are mostly hijab in areas! Glasgow,Scotland, has loads of hijab wearing women. All pver the city.

[@dennisobrien3133]

Nice opening. Sam and Karl have never refused my request for a free subscription which I appreciate!

[@anned6913]

Thank you so much for this conversation. Our eyes and our minds need to be opened far wider than most of us seem to deem possible. One would hope, bearing in mind the amazing communication technologies that we have today (especially in the West), that there was more understanding between different cultures and that oppressive regimes would not be tolerated by anyone. I can't help but feel sonically that it all boils down to one thing - money. As long as someone can make money out of a situation it will continue.

[@cath.lamontagne5357]

😮❤The whole system is crumbling. The status quo is quaking. On the one hand. fundamentalists are losing their power as are autocrats and dictators, whilst on the other hand , atheists, leftists and other "...ists" are losing their minds. We are truly living the Day of Judgement as promised in the holy books.

[@cath.lamontagne5357]

I agree, we need to let go of "the money".

[@cath.lamontagne5357]

😊Minimalist is one of the "...ists" I would gladly ascribe to if I could be just more detached.😂

[@Jules-Is-a-Guy]

I also heard today's Winston Marshall episode with Melanie Phillips, abt how the UN is completely captured, and rly has been for a long time.

[@josee4283]

thank you sam

[@prof.jezebel]

I am so awed by the bravery of Yasmine and Masih. As a Western feminist, I am in a bind. I object to the hijab but Muslim feminists (like Ilhan) then insist it is their choice, it's empowering and it's cultural, and accuse me of Islamophobia and Western cultural imperialism, imposing my values on them. It is not hypocrisy to support these women as it is consistent with feminist values on inclusivity and anti-imperialism. But it illuminates a central difficulty: supporting individual women's choices versus supporting universal principles of female freedom (which are a huge debate). If it weren't for Muslim feminists defending the hijab, Western feminists would stand united against it, as we did in the 70s and 80s. What can we say to Muslim feminists who defend the hijab that wouldn't be our imposing our values on someone else's idea of their culture?

[@bit7389]

The hijab is not just cultural, it is a religious rule. So it is not a choice. And if Ilhan Omar brainwashed herself into believing it is empowering that is her problem. Anyway where do we draw the line? What if someone says the Niqab is their own choice and empowering? Do we still have to tolerate that? What about FGM? I'd rather draw the line early on and if someone calls me an islamophobe, so be it. I have been called worse.

[@LeninChampionedUkraine]

Your closing question, Sam, is a good project idea for your Substack.

[@Clem62]

As flutist I judge a culture by its classical music and the kind of flute used. In Iran the classical Ney flute is spectacular.

[@evanb4189]

Hijabs were banned under the Shah. Honestly, what is the difference between that and now? Or the US requiring clothes?