A personal jihad: Melody Moezzi shares her tale

In a speech given April 12 in Pigott Auditorium, Melody Moezzi discussed the topic of "My Personal Jihad," exploring Islam and gender roles in the Middle East.


Moezzi, a Muslim-American who was raised in an Iranian-American family, is a lawyer, author and journalist who has worked for several media outlets including Moezzi has written for the Washington Post in the past and currently works for National Public Radio. She frequently makes other media appearances on televisionShe detailed her mission of being a feminist Jihadist, working to dispel myths about Islam and her fight against what she perceives to be the unjust and unfair actions of Iran.

"I came to speak to spread the message of a personal jihad, fighting oppression and injustice wherever I find it, especially in my own community," Moezzi said.

According to Moezzi, writing about injustice was a more effective tool for fighting it than the legal system, and found she could accomplish her personal jihad more effectively through her writing. She describes her jihad as a combination of improving the soul and improving the world, citing Malcolm X as one of her greatest influences in discovering what jihad really is.

"Islam and jihad should not be violent," Moezzi said.

She also argued against the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying it was the opposite of Islam. She believes activism for human rights in Iran is not dead, and she "100 percent believes free speech, religion and press can happen again," even if this means taking a harder stance and fighting back when needed.

The event also served as a forum for David Powers, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to announce the creation of a new faculty position next year: Middle East historian.

He noted that the new position will fill needs that are not currently addressed on campus.

"This new position will help give perspective on the Middle East for a global university," Powers said.


Hajer Al-Faham, one of the key supporters and organizers in bringing Moezzi to campus, echoed this point. She brought Moezzi to speak on campus as a way to engage students in discussions about Islam, gender relations and interfaith dialogue.

"Moezzi would be a good choice [for Middle East historian] because she has engaged in interfaith dialogue and devoted her career to it," Al-Faham said. "She is more representative of the Muslim-American community."


Al-Faham, junior political science and women's studies major, helped lead the effort to bring Moezzi to Seattle U. She was joined with support from organizations across campus and support from campus officials, such as Powers and Campus Ministry.

Seattle U's Muslim community worked to collect signatures against Nonie Darwish, an ex-Muslim speaker who spoke on campus fall quarter and who many felt did not portray Islam accurately.

Al-Faham notes she does not believe Darwish is "worth a response," but does believe Moezzi did a better job of discussing the issues in her speech.

"We wanted someone who would speak more eloquently about Islam," said Erin Beary-Anderson, ecumenical and multi-faith minister and adviser to the Muslim Students Association.

Although Al-Faham initially met with some reluctance from the Muslim community in bringing in a new speaker, Moezzi has received "an overwhelmingly strong, welcoming response."

Even though there were those who disagreed with Moezzi, Al-Faham said her lecture sparked debate and fostered respect for the choice of speakers.


"She brought her own personal twist and defied what people typically think Muslim women to be like," said Ifrah Ahmed, freshman political science major. "She had a very eloquent way of speaking and had the knowledge to back up her claims."

Olivia may be reached at ojohnson@su-spectator.com