DUBAI – Iranian authorities began a new push on Sunday to force women to wear the Islamic headscarf, while morality officers returned to the streets 10 months after the death of a woman in their custody provoked widespread protests.
Following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September, the morality police had mostly backed down as authorities fought to suppress major rallies calling for the collapse of Iran’s theocracy, which has ruled the country for nearly four decades.
Following a harsh crackdown in which over 500 protestors were killed and almost 20,000 were jailed, the rallies mainly died down earlier this year. However, many women continued to defy the official dress rule, particularly in Tehran and other cities.
The morality police were rarely seen patrolling the streets, and there were even claims — later disputed — that they had been disbanded in December.
Throughout the crisis, authorities asserted that the regulations had not altered. The headscarf, according to Iran’s clerical leadership, is a vital pillar of the Islamic revolution that brought them to power, and more informal wear is a symptom of Western decadence.
On Sunday, police spokesman Gen. Saeed Montazerolmahdi said the morality police will continue contacting and then detaining women who did not wear hijab in public. Morality police officers could be spotted patrolling the streets of Tehran in marked vehicles.
Last autumn, the battle for the hijab became a potent rallying cry, with women taking the lead in the rallies. The protests swiftly turned into calls to remove Iran’s clerical leadership, which the primarily youthful protestors accuse of being corrupt, authoritarian, and out of touch. Without offering evidence, Iran’s authorities blamed the protests on a foreign conspiracy.
Several Iranian celebrities, including renowned directors and actresses from the country’s celebrated film industry, attended the rallies. Several Iranian actors were imprisoned after wearing their hijab in public or showing support for the protesters.
Source: AP
