Chahdortt Djavann, Author of “Down with the Veils!” or the Voice That Defies the Mullahs

Portrait of Chahdortt Djavann, a Free Voice Against Islamism and Patriarchal Oppression

Arriving in France in 1993 without knowing a single word of French, Chahdortt Djavann immersed herself with determination in this foreign language, which quickly became her second homeland. By absorbing French literary classics, notably Camus, Maupassant, or Sartre, she transformed exile into a literary territory. Through her writings, she powerfully addresses identity, exile, and resistance against religious and political oppression.

Coming from a family critical of the Iranian regime, Djavann experienced the violence of the mullahs’ power at a very young age. Thus, at the age of 13, she endured Iranian prison for protesting against the Islamist regime. This ordeal permanently shaped her critical perspective and commitment.

A prominent figure on the French literary and media scene for the past two decades, Djavann displays a passionate commitment. She is often consulted on topics such as the veil, Islamism, and secularism. In line with her appearances on France Inter or in Marianne, she embraces the radical nature of her straightforwardness. Indeed, this allows her to better awaken people's awareness.
A prominent figure on the French literary and media scene for the past two decades, Djavann displays a passionate commitment. She is often consulted on topics such as the veil, Islamism, and secularism. In line with her appearances on France Inter or in Marianne, she embraces the radical nature of her straightforwardness. Indeed, this allows her to better awaken people’s awareness.

Political Engagement and Media Debates

In 2003, her essay Bas les voiles ! sparked a lively controversy. She candidly analyzes the Islamic veil as a symbol of patriarchal domination. She writes with striking lucidity: “Veiling a minor means she is of marriageable age. The veil defines the woman psychologically, socially, sexually, and legally as subhuman.” This book widely opened the doors of the media to her, including France 2, France 3, Arte, and radio shows on France Inter.

Her next work, Que pense Allah de l’Europe ? (2004), delves deeper into this critical reflection on radical Islamism in Europe. She denounces what she calls the “underground jihad,” this insidious infiltration of radical Islam in the West. Regularly invited to debate on television sets, she notably confronts controversial figures like Tariq Ramadan, with whom she has intense public oppositions, particularly on shows on France 5 and in the columns of the magazine Marianne.

From essays to novels, Chahdortt Djavann uses every literary form to denounce political, religious, and sexual violence. Her striking titles and bold covers reveal a clear intent: to shock, awaken, and provoke. She made a name for herself in 2003 with Down with the Veil!, a scathing critique of the Islamic veil. This was followed by powerful works of fiction such as Veiled Whores Will Never Go to Heaven!, a tribute to women murdered in Iran, and The Mute Girl, a harrowing story of a teenage girl sentenced to death. In I Am Not Who I Am, she explores exile and personal reconstruction through the French language. A formidable polemicist, she authored How to Effectively Fight Islamic Ideology and What Does Allah Think of Europe?, in which she deconstructs the West’s blindness to Islamism. And Those Creatures Without Penises! continues her fierce attack on religious patriarchy, while Self-Portrait of the Other blends novel, essay, and diary to delve into the complex identity of the exiled.
From essays to novels, Chahdortt Djavann uses every literary form to denounce political, religious, and sexual violence. Her striking titles and bold covers reveal a clear intent: to shock, awaken, and provoke. She made a name for herself in 2003 with Down with the Veil!, a scathing critique of the Islamic veil. This was followed by powerful works of fiction such as Veiled Whores Will Never Go to Heaven!, a tribute to women murdered in Iran, and The Mute Girl, a harrowing story of a teenage girl sentenced to death. In I Am Not Who I Am, she explores exile and personal reconstruction through the French language. A formidable polemicist, she authored How to Effectively Fight Islamic Ideology and What Does Allah Think of Europe?, in which she deconstructs the West’s blindness to Islamism. And Those Creatures Without Penises! continues her fierce attack on religious patriarchy, while Self-Portrait of the Other blends novel, essay, and diary to delve into the complex identity of the exiled.

The Feminist Cause at the Heart of Her Novels

Djavann places Iranian women at the center of her literary work. Her emblematic novel, Les putes voilées n’iront jamais au Paradis ! (2016), tells the tragic fate of Iranian prostitutes murdered by the regime. This poignant text forcefully denounces the hypocrisy of a complicit and moralizing system.

Her feminist commitment continues in Iran J’accuse ! (2018). She vigorously challenges the West on its complacency towards the Iranian regime. She emphasizes the necessity of explicit support for political dissidents. Her strong stances earn her invitations on the airwaves of major French media channels, such as LCI and BFM TV, where she defends her convictions with firmness.

Identity, Exile, and Introspection

Her fictionalized autobiography, Je ne suis pas celle que je suis, deeply explores the complex identity related to exile. She writes with sincerity: “Nothing destined me for a French life. Even in my boldest dreams, I was far from imagining myself as a French-language writer.” This book receives critical acclaim for its finesse and authenticity.

Her latest novel, Et ces êtres sans pénis ! (2021), continues this introspective reflection. Djavann courageously addresses the female guilt imposed by religious oppression. She skillfully intertwines fiction and reality, offering a sharp critique of patriarchal and religious control mechanisms.

She has written other notable works, Autoportrait de l’autre (2004) and La Dernière séance (2013). In these novels, she explores themes of identity and otherness with great literary finesse.

Recognition, Controversies, and Media Coverage

Awarded the Prix de la laïcité in 2003 and named Chevalier of Arts and Letters in 2004, Djavann enjoys significant institutional recognition. However, her outspoken nature regularly provokes controversy. Some intellectuals criticize her for positions deemed excessive, while others praise her intellectual courage.

Today, settled in Paris, Djavann remains an attentive and critical observer of the Iranian regime. She frequently participates in public interventions at international conferences, notably at Sciences Po Paris and the Collège de France. She aims to raise awareness about the dangers of political Islamism. She actively advocates for stronger support for Iranian democratic movements.

Chahdortt Djavann, through her work and public speeches, embodies an essential voice in contemporary French literature. As an engaged writer, feminist, and well-known intellectual, she emphasizes that literature remains a powerful tool against oppression. Moreover, she asserts that commitment is essential to fight against obscurantism.

This article was written by Émilie Schwartz.