Mumbai, Jan 14 (NationPress) Iranian-born Indian actress Elnaaz Norouzi has delivered a powerful message concerning faith, humanity, and the distortion of religion, asserting that belief should never be conflated with extremism or oppression.

In a heartfelt note shared on Instagram, Elnaaz remarked that one can identify as a Muslim while still rejecting radical Islamism, noting that faith and extremism are fundamentally different.

She stated: “A gentle reminder for anyone who might need it: You can be Muslim and still reject radical Islamism. Faith and extremism are not synonymous. I was born Muslim, and I will never endorse tyranny or injustice carried out in the name of religion.”

The actress stressed that being a believer does not imply overlooking the flaws within one’s community, but rather possessing the courage to call out wrongdoings.

“Being a believer doesn’t mean pretending your community is flawless; it means having the honesty to address what is wrong,” she wrote.

Emphasizing the importance of humanity above all, Elnaaz shared that she has encountered both admirable and unsavory individuals across various faiths, insisting that the actions of a few should not tarnish the entire religion.

“What truly matters is HUMANITY. I don’t care if you’re Muslim, Jewish, Christian, or Hindu… I’ve met amazing people from all backgrounds, and I’ve also encountered negative individuals from all walks of life. The negative actions of a few do not define an entire religion.”

Urging for unity, the actress, who recently starred in "Mastiii 4", called on people to detach politics from religion and unite for righteousness.

“Let’s separate politics from religion and advocate for what is right, together! Stand for humanity. It will always outlast justifying oppression. Elnaaz Norouzi.

Elnaaz concluded her post with a poignant statement: “Iranians are not rising up against a religion but against a regime that has weaponized religion to dominate every facet of life. We honor all religions but refuse to be governed by any.”

Iran has been experiencing ongoing protests against political oppression and poor economic conditions, with international human rights organizations reporting widespread arrests and fatalities. Protesters are voicing their dissent and demanding substantial changes in governance.

Furthermore, UN human rights experts have condemned severe human rights abuses during the nationwide demonstrations in Iran that began on December 28, 2025, urging immediate action to safeguard protesters and uphold their right to life.