The protests in Iran have captivated Western media headlines, fueled by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Media outlets have been quick to weaponize Amini’s death and generate a frenzy, primarily pushing a narrative of Iranians fighting for “regime change.”

This affair was also significant in analyzing the ideologies that activists within the Western Muslim community abide by and what true activism under Islamic values is defined as.

One such activist who rose to the occasion was Hoda Katebi. Hoda is an Iranian-American writer and community organizer who does a wide array of work in politics and fashion. She was quick to leap onto this Anti-Iran media frenzy claiming that Amini was “beaten by the Gashte-Irshad ” without backing up her accusations with evidence. Meanwhile, the Director General of Forensic Medicine in Tehran states there are “no signs of skull fracture, bleeding, or rupture” of Amini’s internal organs. Despite evidence pointing to Amini’s natural death, authorities in Iran are still actively investigating the circumstances behind the situation. It is questionable as to why Hoda was so quick to join a hate fueled campaign that is not even backed up by any subsequent evidence. 

In a recent Instagram post, Hoda also justified her support for the burning of the hijab, comparing it to burning the Israeli flag.

 There is nothing courageous about trying to prove a point through burning a symbol sacred to Muslims around the world. Hijab in itself has been a symbol of resistance, particularly against a society that seeks to capitalize on women and use female sexuality as a commodity.

These actions of attacking Islamic symbols, even if they are being spread by those who consider themselves Muslims, are promoting ideas against the very fundamentals of the religion. Hoda uses the same narrative enforced by the West by stating that Iran has weaponized faith through the implementation of laws that govern an Islamic society.

In another post, Hoda writes,“down with all oppression, from the shah [king] to rahbar [Leader of the Republic].” This incorrectly conflates the Shah, a leader of an overthrown and widely recognized corrupt monarchy, with the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who remains revered by the majority of society. It is inappropriate to compare a system that was overthrown by the people to a system that is currently maintained by the majority.

Secular liberal activism is a form of activism that negates any form of leadership, highlights individualistic freedom and nullifies any moral standard at which to abide by. Under secular liberalism, there is no clear contrast between good and evil as there is no compass at which one may distinguish between right versus wrong, other than whatever one personally decides. As someone who has attended various faith centered conferences and events, I have seen many secular liberal activists, such as Hoda, widely broadcasted.

When such liberal based ideas become shown through Islamic spaces, it creates the false image that such ideas are rooted within the principles of Islam. Particularly in Hoda’s case, her support for leftist ideas, her lack of response on the burning of Alams, flags considered sacred symbols that honor the tragedy of Karbala, and her blatant defending of burning the hijab shows that her activism is not rooted in religious values, and therefore should not be broadcasted in spaces that claim to uphold Islamic values. 

True Islamic activism, unlike secular liberalism, does not have a notion of selecting and merging opposing concepts. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) speaks about the dangers of mixing truth and falsehood in Nahjul Balagha Sermon 50. He states:

Here, Imam Ali (as) is explaining the danger of not clearly separating truth and falsehood and how this mixing is ultimately what leads the masses to succumb to falsehood. Even though Hoda has previously been openly critical of the West, Western media outlets such as The Los Angeles Times are now furthering Hoda’s current views. This is solely because her rhetoric conveniently contributes to their propaganda. 

They have strategically used her ‘truth mixed falsehood’ brand of activism for their own interests.

Ultimately, this only goes to further highlight the importance of understanding the causes one wishes to serve and realizing her voice actually strengthens the goals of the West far more than it defends Islamic values.

Islam, unlike this secular liberal brand of activism, gives value and honor to following authority, specifically one centered around God. The Holy Quran notably states,

Moreover, the Prophets of God are outlined as the model activists whose primary messages were to establish Tawheed, instill organization and ultimately reform society. Islam has particularly emphasized the importance of spiritual reformation being at the very center of political reformation. The Battle of Karbala was caused by more than just the need for political reform. In his addresses to his brother, Imam Hussain states that his uprising is only “to seek reform and equilibrium in the nation of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allāh”.

This proves the necessity of a societal reform on the basis of spiritual equilibrium alongside any political agenda. Similarly, this was also the change that Islam brought upon a pagan society in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (S) as he sought to reform the community through purifying the intellect (aql) of the people. 

Many leaders throughout history have also recognized the significance of spirituality in activism. Malcolm X states, “Mankind’s history has proved from one era to another that the true criterion of leadership is spiritual.” During the Islamic Revolution in Iran, its leader, the late Imam Khomeini centered the revolution of society around spiritual elevation and purification. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) during his governance would not entrust a position to anyone before investigating their honesty, experience, and sincerity.

The United States and their Allies could care less about “justice” but rather have weaponized Amini’s death as an attempt to weaken the system of governance that Iran abides by: Wilayatul Faqih. Wilayat al-Faqih “advocates a guardianship-based political system, which relies upon a just and capable jurist (faqih) to assume the leadership of the government in the absence of an infallible Imam.” Since the implementation of the Islamic Republic in 1979, in which the people voted for its very protection, there have been countless attempts by the West to dismantle this system. The West knows that such a system is a threat to The Western imperialist agenda worldwide.

It has become evident that true Islamic activism is one rooted in spiritual reformation and God-centricity while secular activism directly opposes this ideal. Therefore, I call into question all events, conferences, and Muslim spaces, both Shia and Sunni, who host this liberal brand of activism that contradicts our faith at its very root. Such spaces which have provided platforms to these secular liberal activists must also be held responsible for their words and causes. If our own spaces censor the voices that have clearly outlined truth and falsehood and replace it with the likes of Hoda Katebi, we are doing a disservice to the younger generations who will champion a confused Islamic identity. It is imperative that our youth can distinguish and follow faith centered activism when they see it. This can only be done through a fundamental understanding of Divine Guardianship (Wilayah) and the importance of spirituality within any societal reform.