Women in Iran Remove Hijabs as Mahsa Amini’s Death Anniversary Approaches

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — As the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death draws near, a noticeable trend is emerging in Iranian cities: women increasingly walk the streets without the obligatory headscarf, or hijab. This change has sparked conversations online and among citizens, reflecting a significant moment in the country’s ongoing dynamics with personal freedoms.

The shift began in the summer months when sweltering temperatures coincided with power shortages across the nation. While there has been no official acknowledgment from the government or any conducted studies, social media videos increasingly document this daring behavior, particularly during evenings. Women and girls can be seen with their hair cascading down their shoulders, asserting their presence in public spaces.

Such defiance persists despite a backdrop of increased repression, as described by United Nations investigators. Iran’s theocracy has intensified measures to punish those flouting the dress code, yet the absence of a unifying event akin to Amini’s death, which ignited widespread protests, leaves many in a precarious position.

The current reformist president, Masoud Pezeshkian, came into office promising to curb the harassment of women by the morality police. However, the ultimate authority lies with the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has previously stated that unveiling is both religiously and politically impermissible.

While some observant Muslim women view the hijab as a symbol of religiosity and modesty, it has also evolved into a potent political emblem in Iran. A recent U.N. report highlighted the ongoing struggle for accountability regarding human rights abuses, particularly impacting women and children.

Mahsa Amini, aged 22, died on September 16, 2022, following her arrest for allegedly failing to adhere to the government’s hijab regulations. Her death prompted an outpouring of protests that began with the slogan “Women, Life, Freedom,” but soon escalated into broader calls for resistance against Khamenei’s regime.

The harsh crackdown that ensued claimed the lives of more than 500 individuals and led to the arrest of over 22,000 people. Today, encounters with women not wearing hijabs have become increasingly common in various neighborhoods of Tehran, ranging from upscale areas to working-class locales, particularly noticeable after sunset and even during daylight on weekends in prominent parks.

Online, a new genre of walking tour videos portrays life in Tehran’s vibrant streets, showcasing women living without headscarves. Such displays of defiance would have been inconceivable in the years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, yet they now pass largely unnoticed by the authorities.

A 25-year-old student from Tehran Sharif University, who identified herself only as Azadeh for fear of reprisals, reflected on this shift. “My sense of freedom in not wearing a scarf is a legacy of Mahsa Amini, and we must protect this as a significant achievement,” she stated. Amini could be her age if she were alive today.

However, this disobedience is not without its dangers. After the protests subsided, Iranian morality police reemerged on the streets. Reports have surfaced of women and young girls being assaulted by officers, and troubling incidents have occurred, such as a teenage girl sustaining injuries on Tehran’s Metro due to her refusal to wear a hijab, ultimately leading to her death in a hospital. Activists alleged that police shot at a woman escaping a checkpoint to avoid having her car impounded for the same reason.

The Iranian government has also targeted businesses where women appear without hijabs, deploying surveillance systems to penalize those caught violating dress codes. Innovative methods, including the use of drones, have been reported to monitor areas where women might expose their hair. Nevertheless, some citizens feel that Pezeshkian’s election has shifted the atmosphere surrounding the hijab, potentially easing tensions.

“The current peaceful environment seems linked to Pezeshkian’s presidency,” remarked Hamid Zarrinjouei, a 38-year-old bookseller. He believes that Pezeshkian might persuade influential figures that imposing further restrictions does not enhance women’s adherence to the hijab.

On a recent occasion, Iran’s Prosecutor General, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, cautioned security personnel against engaging in violent confrontations over hijab enforcement. He reaffirmed that any violators would face legal repercussions.

While the government continues to shy away from directly addressing the rise of women eschewing the hijab, there are hints of an emerging recognition regarding the altered political climate. Notably, an academic received dismissal shortly after downplaying Amini’s death on state television. Furthermore, a pre-reform newspaper highlighted a survey indicating that hijab-related concerns had become increasingly prominent among the populace, a shift that was not observed previously. According to sociologist Simin Kazemi, “This issue is now at the forefront of public discourse in a way not seen before.”

Source: Associated Press