Urgent action needed to free Professor Homa Hoodfar

Toronto, ON, July 25, 2016 – The Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW) urges the Government of Canada to take swift action to seek freedom for Concordia University Professor Homa Hoodfar from Iran’s Evin prison. Over a month has passed since the arrest of Professor Hoodfar in Iran. Last week, the Iranian Prosecutor General announced that she has been officially indicted on unspecified charges and that her trial was forthcoming.

In response to the global outcry over her arrest, CCMW has written an open letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Prominent members of Canadian Muslim communities, including leading Muslim organizations, Imams, mosques, community leaders, intellectuals and Muslim activists, have endorsed it.

Given that the Islamic Republic of Iran bases its legitimacy on Islamic principles and claims to represent the interests of Muslims worldwide, this open letter specifically invokes longstanding themes in Islamic ethics such as compassion and mercy to plead for Professor Hoodfar’s release.

Homa Hoodfar’s plight must not be forgotten. As Canadians, we expect the Government of Canada to take urgent action to address Professor Hoodfar’s case. Re-establishing diplomatic relations with Iran should be conditional on her release from Evin prison and her safe return to her family in Canada.

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For more information, please contact Alia Hogben at aliahogben@gmail.com or call (613) 382-2847.