The revived debates about the hijab in Iran - Assalamu alaikum
As-salamu alaykum. Despite President Masoud Pezeshkian’s promises to expand public freedoms and abandon the enforcement of religious norms, the recent statement from the Committee for Virtue and Prevention of Vice about creating a “department of chastity and hijab” has once again brought the hijab issue back to the center of public discussion.
The committee's secretary in Tehran, Ruhollah Momen-Nasab, announced the formation of 80,000 “preachers of virtue” and over 4,500 instructors and judicial officers to implement the previously adopted "Law on Hijab and Chastity".
This decision has raised questions about its rationale and funding sources amidst a serious economic crisis. People are worried about the return of the so-called “morality police” and “agents in civilian clothes,” whose actions in the past led to street clashes and mass protests. Observers warn that any harsh measures at such a sensitive time could further fuel social unrest.
The name of the committee has long been associated with controversial initiatives, like “clinics for treatment of head covering non-compliance” or hijab patrol projects, and the new statement has revealed clear disagreements within the power structures.
Government spokeswoman Fatima Mohajerani noted, “We cannot enforce the hijab by force, just as no one has been able to make women take it off by force.” She also stated that the government did not allocate a budget for such extraordinary measures, which many interpreted as a signal of discontent with the committee’s policies.
The reformist press, expressing trust in President Pezeshkian, reminded that the refusal to fund doesn’t absolve the authorities from responsibility and compared running the country to a ship that needs a cohesive crew. The newspaper also warned: “Political stubbornness doesn’t solve the crisis; it only exacerbates it.”
The announcement came at a particularly sensitive moment - the country is still grappling with the aftermath of the June events. Previously, it was reported that the Supreme National Security Council had suspended the implementation of the chastity and hijab law, and the government stated its unwillingness to enforce it, leading to constitutional disputes over powers.
There’s also a divide in the intra-religious community: some insist on the hijab's obligation and believe society should participate in its enforcement, while others uphold moral principles but reject violence and coercion. Ayatollah Abbas Ka’bi speaks of the need for rational governance and national participation, while Ayatollah Masoudi Khomeini openly opposes any violence to impose hijab rules.
Political scientists and social activists comment on the situation in different ways: some scoff at the parallels with women's progress in other countries, while others suggest directing the committee's efforts toward economic issues - checking the quality of products and services, not the streets. Sociologists warn that focusing on external enforcement during economic hardships might distract from real problems and intensify discontent.
Leaders of reformist movements demand accountability from the committee regarding its activities, budgets, and results, seeing the creation of new structures as a continuation of ineffective measures that deepen distrust and divide in society.
Ultimately, the new events have exposed a deep rift between proponents of a strict approach, law enforcement agencies, and governmental pragmatism. The question remains who will manage to impose their position in this dispute, which has become a test of the balance of power in the system.
May Allah grant our ummah wisdom and unity in addressing such sensitive issues, so that changes occur peacefully and with respect for human dignity.
https://islamnews.ru/2025/10/2