National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) is an inclusive and pluralistic parliament-in-exile that defends Western values such as secularism and women's rights. It fights for the establishment of a democratic and secular republic in Iran, on a platform espousing such political values as secular government, democratic elections, freedom of expression, equal rights for women and human rights. It is an umbrella organization with multiple member groups, such as the "Association of Iranian Scholars and Professionals" and the "Association of Iranian Women".

This democratic alternative to the current Iranian government wants to rebuild Iran, which the mullahs have ruined, through the people’s participation, the return of Iranian experts and friendship with the rest of the world.

In 1993, during its plenary session, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, a coalition whose members include a number of Iranian opposition organizations and prominent personalities, elected Maryam Rajavi as the President-elect for the period of transitioning power to the Iranian people.

As the President-elect of the NCRI, Maryam Rajavi has mounted an extraordinary political, social, cultural and ideological challenge to the ruling mullahs in Iran. Under her leadership, women have risen to hold key positions in the Iranian Resistance. Over half of the NCRI members are women. They occupy various political, diplomatic, social and cultural positions in the Resistance.