Nawal El Saadawi and Sherif Hetata's site

Since its inception, the Neither Whores nor Submissive movement has been dedicated to fighting against all forms of injustice and discrimination. Our struggle began in the French suburbs, but as we gathered together for the cause of equality, we discovered a source of hope so powerful that it has spread across national borders. Throughout the entire world, we have found brothers and sisters in struggle who share the same vision. Today, one of our Egyptian comrades, Dr. Nawal Saadawi, is in a dangerous situation. A courageous feminist and an outspoken proponent of equality and democracy, Saadawi is a source of inspiration for the Neither Whores nor Submissive movement. Now is the time to defend our vision of solidarity and support a true sister in struggle who needs our help.

For publishing in January 2007 God Resigns at the Summit Meeting a fictional play, Nawal El Saadawi, psychiatrist, renowned Egyptian feminist, writer, novelist, and political activist for human and women’s rights, has become a political and religious target. Accused of an affront to Islam, judged “crazy,” she has come under heavy judicial investigation.

For having written in her play that God is a spirit, and thus neither male nor female, she has been accused of heresy by the authorities of Al Azhar, the Islamic university in Cairo. Nawal El Saadawi has been threatened. On top of that, 5 of her works have been censured at the Book Fair held last January in Cairo.

Nawal has published over sixty books. Her work, written in Arabic, has been translated in over thirty languages. She is recognized and admired throughout the entire world. She was recently awarded the international prize for African literature. Despite considerable pressure, she has refused to give up thinking, writing, exposing, and speaking up for what she knows to be true.

What can be said about a tribunal, about a university that fears words, that fears ideas? That defends itself by banning the ideas that risk stirring people’s consciences? What is there to think about a tribunal, about a university… that fears women… and to better keep them quiet…disqualifies them by treating them like they’re “crazy”?

Yes, Nawal El Saadawi is unsettling. Because she is an unwavering feminist, a voice that won’t be silenced in a universe of patriarchal dogmatism. Now she is accused of heresy, because her struggle irritated those who consider themselves authorities “of knowledge”, those who jealously guard their power and their prerogatives. Her struggle is universal; it belongs to every woman and every man who is dedicated to freedom. On those grounds, she is our sister in struggle.

The accusation against Nawal is a flagrant attack on freedom of expression. The” Neither Whores nor Submissive” Movement intends to support and defend Nawal El Saadawi’s cause, the cause of all oppressed women, a deprivation of freedom of expression for all who believe “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Because of this, Neither Whores Nor Submissive asks you to sign the petition on our web site www.niputesnisoumises.com, so that Nawal may return to her country to continue her fight.

Marta Lopez

Responsable des relations Internationales

Mouvement Ni Putes Ni Soumises