45 Men and Women Arrested at a 'Mixed Party' in Qom

The Public Prosecutor and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Qom announced the arrest of 45 women and men at a 'night party' in a furniture workshop. According to a report on Tuesday (April 12) by the Judiciary's news agency (Mizan Online), Mehdi Kaheh, the Public Prosecutor and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Qom, stated that this furniture workshop was located on the outskirts of Qom. He mentioned that the arrests occurred after the police information and security of Qom province reported the 'presence of several male and female individuals inside a furniture workshop on the outskirts of the city.' Kaheh added that it was 'established' for the officers that the participants in this party had committed 'crimes such as promoting and creating grounds for corruption and prostitution, drinking alcohol, and engaging in illicit relationships.' The Public Prosecutor of Qom further noted that among the detainees, '14 individuals who had more serious crimes and multiple criminal records were arrested and introduced to prison.' He stated that 'the remaining individuals were released on bail until the final proceedings.' This is one of the rarest reports regarding the holding of mixed parties in the religious city of Qom. This news comes after Mohammad Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi, the social deputy of the police, reported a 40-fold increase in patrols and received reports of non-compliance with 'hijab and chastity' in Qom. Prior to this, the local website Qom Negar criticized the gradual disappearance of the chador as the 'symbol and sign of the city of Qom,' noting the prevalence of 'seven-colored hair, heavy makeup, and the musical sound of high-heeled shoes' in this religious city. The director general of social welfare in Qom province had also announced in July 2011 that 21% of marriages in this province end in divorce, making Qom the second highest province in divorce rates after Tehran. Qom is the most important religious city in Iran, considered the main center of religious seminaries, and many religious authorities live in this city. Therefore, reports on the social, economic, and cultural status of this city are typically not released by officials. However, scattered reports and statements from some religious authorities and responsible officials indicate that what is referred to in the official literature of the Islamic Republic as 'cultural anomalies' also exists in this religious city. Meanwhile, some religious authorities, including Jafar Subhani, believe that 'some are tasked with eliminating the disgrace of improper hijab in Qom' and 'individuals with inappropriate clothing are sent to Qom to circulate around the shrine, thereby diminishing the stigma of improper hijab.'