Birmingham’s Iranian community protest against the death of Mahsa Amini

Members of the Iranian community group in Birmingham are joining together to hold weekly protests over the death of Mahsa Amini. The 22 year-old died in custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab “improperly”.

BirminghamWorld spoke to the leader of the city group called Iranian Political Birmingham who, for reasons of privacy concerns, wishes to be referred to as ‘Moji Irani.’

Moji explained that these protests have been taking place in Birmingham for about a month, after the 22 year old died in Iran, on 13th September for ‘wearing her headscarf too loosely’. She explained that the protests in Birmingham are linked to similar protests being held throughout Europe and around the world.

“So  we’re demonstrating in Europe and all around the world to be the voice as there’s no voice. The last time they did this it was ten years ago,” she said. Moji explained that the protesters are not against Islam, being a muslim herself, she wishes to highlight the fact that her group is against the Iranian political regime - not religion.

She said: “With anything they try to divide people. They try to divide us into different religions, even football teams. The proverb goes: divide and govern, this is their policy.”

Moji, like several other Iranians in Birmingham, want European governments and countries around the world to support an Iranian revolution by publicly being against the government in Iran.

“We need to see action from international governments. Canada sanctioned those involved in the Iranian regime. But the UK didn’t do anything until we lobbied when the Consertive Conference happened in Birmingham, which made them say something in Parliament.”

The Birmingham protests come as demonstrations continue in Iran during which police are reported to have fired on protesters in Saqqqez - the home city of Mahsa Amini.

Thousands gathered near the grave of the Kurdish woman and clashed with security, 40 days since her death.Protests have swept across Iran since her death.

The UK has imposed sanctions on Iran’s morality police and other top security figures in response to the country’s violent crackdown on protesters, reports the BBC. The Foreign Office has sanctioned the entire morality police force - as well as other key public figures. They are banned from coming to the UK and any assets held here frozen.