In a wide-ranging interview with Jahan Banou news agency, Dr. Roghayeh-Sadat Momen discusses the global crisis in understanding women’s roles and highlights how the Islamic Revolution under Imam Khomeini proved that women can flourish socially without emulating Western models.
The interview, conducted on the eve of the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and during the blessed days of Nimeh Sha’ban—a period symbolizing the bond between revolutionary hope, pure life, and readiness for the Age of Manifestation (a Shi‘i concept referring to the arrival of Imam Mahdi and the era of universal justice) —explores the civilizational concept of the “Woman of the Islamic Revolution” and contrasts it with Western constructs.
Hosted by Jahan Banou editor-in-chief Mahdieh Manafi, the guest was Dr. Roghayeh-Sadat Momen, a scholar of women’s rights in Islam and university professor.
A Global Crisis in Understanding Women’s Place
Dr. Momen opened by referencing the Supreme Leader’s remarks on how one of the central crises of the contemporary world is the misunderstanding and distortion of the concept and role of women—a deviation that began in the West, where women have often been displaced from their true position in both private and public spheres and treated as instruments serving capitalist systems.
She emphasized that this shift is not merely a difference in governance but stems from a deep civilizational clash between spiritual and materialist worldviews—one that has spread globally since the Renaissance.
A Civilizational Achievement of the Islamic Revolution
According to Dr. Momen, one of the greatest achievements of the Islamic Revolution was reclaiming the courage to think differently. She stated that the revolution demonstrated progress is possible without copying Western models—a message that has awakened many free thinkers around the world.
Highlighting the pivotal role of Imam Khomeini (may his soul rest in peace), she explained that he opened a new chapter in history with profound spiritual grounding, showing that humans—both women and men—are not created for material development alone but are entrusted with personal growth and societal elevation.
Women as Central to the Pure Life and Readiness for the Age of Manifestation
Dr. Momen linked the issue of women to the concept of expectation (entezar)—the idea that the Age of Manifestation ushers in the realization of a pure and virtuous life. Preparing society for this future cannot be achieved solely through individual self-improvement; it requires social transformation in which women play a key role.
She explained that dominant powers recognize the importance of this role and therefore target women with the heaviest cultural assaults to neutralize or distort this vast potential.
Critiquing the Western View of Women
In her critique of Western cultural models, Dr. Momen argued that in materialist civilization, women are often reduced from being creators of generations and builders of humanity to “catalysts for pleasure and hedonism.” The result of this trajectory, she said, is not human happiness but exploitation, spiritual erosion, and eventual dismissal of women once their “utility” expires.
She further observed that this system does not even benefit from material resources properly and ultimately destroys both humanity and nature.
From Discourse to Reality: What’s Missing?
When asked why there often appears to be a gap between the Islamic Revolution’s discourse on women and social realities, Dr. Momen pointed to a manipulation of perception. As long as success indicators for women align with Western-introduced standards, the Islamic model will understandably seem unattainable.
She stressed the urgent need to redefine values and articulate clear, real examples of successful women within Islamic thought—models that have been rarely introduced or celebrated.
Reexamining Traditions: Imam Ali’s View of Women
Dr. Momen addressed common misconceptions about Imam ‘Ali’s attitude toward women, noting that a careful study of his practical life shows no historical evidence of disrespect or denigration. On the contrary, recorded history emphasizes his honor, support, and enabling environment for women’s growth. Furthermore, she pointed out that Islamic history has often been written by opponents of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s family), and yet if there were any weakness in the Alawi (pertaining to Imam ‘Ali) conduct toward women, it would have been highlighted by these chroniclers—but no such evidence exists.
The “Third Model” of Woman: Balancing Femininity and Social Impact
The conversation also touched on what many Iranian scholars refer to as the “third model” of woman—a concept repeatedly mentioned by Iran’s Supreme Leader in recent years. This model rejects both passive domesticity and overly masculinized Western roles: it upholds femininity alongside meaningful social engagement.
Dr. Momen cited examples from the history of the Alawi government, where women played active roles in scientific, healing, social, and even defensive capacities—always with dignity, modesty, and respect.
Equality and Distinct Paths of Growth
In closing, Dr. Momen underscored that while women and men are equal in human dignity, they are distinct in their nature and have unique paths of growth. Imposing a male-oriented model of development on women not only fails to elevate them but can cause harm and decline.
She concluded that the Islamic Revolution and the Alawi tradition demonstrate it is possible to build a society where women grow without being instrumentalized and where society benefits from this growth—a path that paves the way to a pure life and readiness for the Age of Manifestation.
Interview by: Mahdieh Manafi
Author: Mahta Sanei