Maryam Rajavi Speaks at the official session of the European People’s Party
The EPP group’s official meeting was chaired by Pedro Agramunt, a Spanish Senator and chairman of the EPP faction in PACE. Senator Agramunt started the session by saying: This marks the second time that Maryam Rajavi joins us for a meeting of the EPP. Everyone knows Maryam Rajavi. And, since we are currently faced with the issue of Islamic fundamentalism in Europe, I am sure that she can share with us her extensive insights on this issue.
Maryam Rajavi, who attended as a special guest of the EPP session, underscored international concerns about Islamic fundamentalism, described the roots of this ominous phenomenon and outlined the solution to confront it.
She said: “First, Islamic fundamentalism is a belligerent phenomenon. Street executions, stoning, and gouging out eyes in Iran, as well as the barbarity of ISIS and its beheadings, the ethnic cleansing and genocide committed by militias tied to the Iranian regime in Iraq, and the criminal attacks in Paris, all represent the various aspects of a single war: the war of fundamentalism against all of humanity and its achievements.
“Second, this phenomenon was born in Iran when the mullahs took power, and it was ideologically and materially nourished and promoted by the mullahs. There are differences and even some competition among various Sunni and Shiite groups. But, the idea of an Islamic Empire or “velayat-e faqih” (absolute rule of clerics) was introduced to the contemporary world by Khomeini. Without the current regime ruling in Iran, disparate reactionary forces could not have gained the capacity and opportunity to emerge as a destructive political force.
“Third, it would be a mistake to assume that Sunni fundamentalism is somehow more dangerous than Shiite fundamentalism, and that we can fight the former with help from the latter. The various forms of Islamic fundamentalism cannot be segmented in this way. Resorting to such assumptions reveals a failure to understand this phenomenon in its totality, and diverts attention from the main and strategic threat to stability in the region, emanated from terrorist militia groups affiliated with the Iranian regime.
“These militias are backed by state power. It is the Iranian regime’s strategy to expand fundamentalism and establish a pole of extremism that lies at the root of the crisis and represents the greatest strategic threat.
“And, fourth, experience has shown that the mullahs’ regime has a need for exporting fundamentalism and terrorism in order to continue its survival.
Maryam Rajavi then pointed to the solution to this global threat by underlying the prospect of change in Iran and said: “The solution to this global threat lies in regime change in Iran. The source of this monster has to be uprooted in Tehran. Contrary to the mullahs’ propaganda, change in Iran is within reach.
“We call on governments to re-evaluate their policies toward Iran and the region. Do not help the Iranian regime by using diplomatic and commercial ties as pretexts. Refrain from legitimizing the regime, and instead stand on the side of the Iranian people and recognize their demands for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.”
The session ended with Maryam Rajavi answering questions from parliamentarians.
