Close Associates of Khatami Emphasize: Sharia Hijab Cannot Be Enforced by Law

Some legal scholars, sociologists, and clerics have published a pamphlet titled "The Issue of Hijab: Realities and Solutions" with an introduction by Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, emphasizing that "Sharia hijab cannot be enforced by law." In the introduction, Khatami writes that by assessing governance in relation to the fate of society, recognizing and meeting its needs, strengthening economic and cultural foundations, improving living conditions, and preserving and increasing social capital, one can judge the Islamic Republic. Khatami believes that the government's official approach to mandatory hijab has contributed to its transformation into a "crisis." The former president of the Reformist government questions whether enforcing hijab by the government is reasonable and effective, and whether opposing it, especially through inappropriate methods, is justified. He emphasizes that the contentious issue is the use of governmental coercion to impose a restrictive dress code on a diverse social reality. He warns that the proportion of marginalized and poor groups in society has increased over a relatively long period, which could turn the entire social contract and government policies into a matter of "protest." The authors of the pamphlet conclude that state-sponsored cultural promotion has failed and that "Sharia hijab cannot be enforced through legal means." The analysis section of the pamphlet states that "the solution is not insisting on mandatory hijab; rather, resisting a conventional demand leads the other side to aim for more." It highlights that the main problem with hijab is that it has become an "identity and symbolic issue" for the government, while for many citizens, it is not necessarily so. In the final section of the analytical pamphlet, which according to Shahindokht Molaverdi, former Deputy of Women and Family Affairs, is the result of several joint meetings of legal scholars, sociologists, and clerics, it is suggested that unsuccessful policies and strategies regarding hijab be reviewed and reformed based on legal foundations. Currently, a bill regarding hijab is under consideration in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, which has involved all three branches in its drafting and, if approved, will prescribe stricter regulations to impose mandatory hijab. Despite all the strict measures, numerous reports of civil disobedience by women in Iran are published daily on social media.