Rita Panahi

Panahi is a former Muslim and is critical of aspects of Islam. Panahi has accused what she regards as the regressive left for abetting Islamism in the West, stating "the former excuse behaviour that they would never tolerate from non-Muslims." She has described Western feminists who view modesty veils such as burkas, niqabs and hijabs as symbols of diversity or empowerment as an example of such abetment.[4] However, she opposes a complete ban on Muslim immigration. She has argued against the burqa[1] and has criticised non-Western women who wear hijabs in solidarity with Muslim women, arguing that the hijab is a political symbol as well as a religious one, and that it was forced on her as a child in Iran. She has supported statements against veils made by fellow former Muslims such as Darya Safai and Yasmine Mohammed.[5]

In January 2015, Panahi clashed with Andrew O'Keefe on Weekend Sunrise over her maligning of Muslims. Panahi stated: “We need to start discussing intelligently the issues we have with the Muslim community,”. O'Keefe replied: “Every time a fundamentalist Christian in the United States bombs an abortion clinic or bombs a synagogue, do we hold all the Christians in the world accountable for that?”. Panahi responded: “Andrew, that’s such a nonsensical argument... We’ve got to stop doing what you just did and pretending like Islam is like any other religion, as far as being behind incidences of terror.”[6] In January 2015, she wrote an article entitled "Islam, you have a very serious problem" which was published in the Daily Telegraph. News website New Matilda published an open letter critical of Panahi's article.[7]

In her column in The Australian, Panahi has argued in favour of stopping the boats, and strongly supported Australia's humanitarian intake through regular means. The offshore detention camps, which have been criticised by human rights organisations[8][9][10][11] are, she says, an uncomfortable necessity to deter desperate people from attempting the dangerous sea voyage.[12]

Panahi has claimed that she was previously in favour of republicanism but now supports retaining the Monarchy of Australia, arguing that monarchy is a flawed system but "the reality is that it works for Australia. We have a stable system of government with a figurehead who is benign, much admired and not interested in interfering in our affairs." She has also expressed opposition to the views of Australian Republican Movement's former chairman Peter FitzSimons and agreed with an assessment made by former Senator David Leyonhjelm that debates over the monarchy is a non-issue for average Australians but one obsessively pushed by republicans.[13] However, Panahi has criticised the political statements made by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, arguing they have "trashed" the legacy of Queen Elizabeth. Prior to the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, Panahi opined that the crown should be passed down to Prince William instead of his father, Charles.[14][15]

In a debate over racism in early 2016, Panahi was on a team opposing ABC presenter Stan Grant. Panahi argued that Australia should not be characterised as racist.[1]

Ahead of the 2020 United States Presidential election, Panahi maintained that while she had some disagreements and reservations about Donald Trump, she favoured his re-election and argued that a Trump victory would be more beneficial to Australian national security over a Biden presidency. She furthermore accused the media of ignoring the increase in black, gay and Hispanic support for Trump in order to accuse him of racism.[16][17] Panahi claims Joe Biden has engaged in inappropriate behaviour with young girls and is in a cognitive decline.[18]