Iranian protesters are “bringing down the patriarchy”, comedian Omid Djalili said at a demonstration in London on Sunday.
At the Iran Solidarity Rally, which marked 115 days of protests, thousands of demonstrators gathered at Marble Arch before marching through central London to Trafalgar Square.
The British-Iranian comedian addressed the crowd from a stage, which had been set up by organisers including human rights group Amnesty International, next to Nelson's Column.
They are “changing the axis of the world”, Djalili told the protesters.
“When British women scream and shout for the women and girls in Iran, they are not just shouting for them, they are shouting for themselves,” he said.
“They are shouting to bring down the patriarchy. That’s what we are doing.
“We are changing the axis of the world. This is why the men are joining the women of Iran, because together we know that the patriarchy hurts people.
Mahsa Amini protests in Iran and around the world - in pictures
“And right now we see with this regime … when women speak you listen, and if you don’t listen to women, woe betide the men.
“You do not mess with women, let alone Iranian women.”
Protesters carried the country’s flag with the slogan “Freedom for Iran” written on them.
Others held banners with the faces of protesters killed by the regime.
Alternative Mahsa Amini protests - in pictures
The banners read: “What crime were we killed for?”
The protesters also chanted slogans made popular during the protests in Iran, including “woman, life, freedom” and “justice for Iran”.
Among the thousands at the protest was engineer Farshid Farmani, who said that the UK government should treat Iran like it treats Russia.
“The UK government can expel the ambassadors,” Mr Farmani said. “What they have done to Russia they can do to Iran.
“A lot of the relatives [of the regime] live here, and they have lots of capital here.
“They can block that capital and put pressure on them and sanction them.”
He said the protests in Iran were for "freedom, basic rights".
“We are all human and we have right to live freely,” Mr Farmani said.
Iranian protesters burn passports over Mahsa Amini's death - video
Writer Elika Ansari, 32, was also at the protest.
“I think it’s really important for Iranian people and everyone who supports democracy to come together to support this cause,” Ms Ansari said
“It’s one of the biggest protests I have been to yet.”
She said the people in the UK could show their support by signing petitions and sharing the news.
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What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
