This book examines the construction of communities of speakers and actors in the Woman, Life, Freedom (WLF) movement in Iran in 2022. Drawing heavily on the works of Hannah Arendt, it analyses the pivotal role of language in the ideological and physical confrontation between Iranian protesters and the religious government. Although WLF emerged with a distinctly feminist identity, its scope transcended gender issues to address the broader struggle to reclaim the public sphere. Through an analysis of verbal and visual signs, this book explores how the WLF movement challenged the religious status quo and catalysed secularism. By doing so, it highlights the unintended role of the Islamic Republic in fostering a secular transformation in Iranian society.

Modjtaba Najafi is an independent scholar in Information and Communication Sciences and a former associated member of the CIM Laboratory (Communication, Information, Médias) at Sorbonne Nouvelle University. He has lectured at Sorbonne Nouvelle University, Paris School of Business, and ESSCA School of Management (Paris Campus). His research focuses on media, communication, collective memory, social movements, and the role of images in the public sphere. In addition to his academic work, he is an analyst of international relations and geopolitical affairs. His analyses and commentaries have been published in Iranian and international media outlets.